Corpora paraaortica

The corpora paraaortica (Paraaortic bodies) are collections of neuroendocrine cells derived from the neural crest, located along the sympathetic chain adjacent to the abdominal aorta.

These paraganglia are part of the sympathetic nervous system and are most commonly found in the retroperitoneum, distributed from the base of the skull to the pelvis, with a predilection for sites near the renal vessels and the organ of Zuckerkandl (at the origin of the inferior mesenteric artery and the aortic bifurcation). 

Tumors arising from these paraaortic paraganglia are termed paragangliomas and are typically extra-adrenal, often referred to as extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas.

As they are small clusters of chemoreceptors, baroreceptor, they may secrete catecholamines, leading to symptoms such as hypertension and headache.