Branches of the Abdominal Aorta: Complete Guide with Supply Territories

The abdominal aorta gives off paired and unpaired branches supplying abdominal viscera, body wall, and pelvis. From superior to inferior:

Unpaired Visceral Branches (Anterior)

• Celiac trunk (T12/L1): Stomach, spleen, liver, pancreas, proximal duodenum.
• Superior mesenteric artery (L1): Distal duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, appendix, ascending colon, proximal 2/3 transverse colon.
• Inferior mesenteric artery (L3): Distal 1/3 transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, superior rectum.

Paired Visceral Branches (Lateral)

• Renal arteries (L1/L2): Kidneys, adrenal glands, ureters.
• Gonadal arteries (L2): Testes (internal spermatic) or ovaries.

Parietal Branches (Body Wall)

• Lumbar arteries (4 pairs, L1–L4): Posterior abdominal wall, spinal cord, back muscles/skin.

Terminal Branches (Pelvis)

• Common iliac arteries (L4): Each divides into internal iliac (pelvic viscera) and external iliac (lower limb).
• Median sacral artery: Sacrum, coccyx.

Clinical Pearl

Collateral pathways exist between SMA/IMA (meandering mesenteric artery, arc of Riolan) and between celiac/SMA (pancreaticoduodenal arcades)—critical in mesenteric ischemia.