Abdomen: aorta protocol and antatomy

Aorta Protocol

Long

\-Proximal w/wo measurements

\-Mid w/wo

\-Distal w/wo

\-Rt/Lt iliac w/wo

Trans

\-Proximal w/wo measurements

\-Mid w/wo

\-Distal w/wo

\-Bifurcation w/wo

take images without measurements first

Aorta diameter size

less than 3 cm

females- 1.9cm

males-2.3cm

Common iliac arteries diameter size

less than 2 cm

females- 1.2

males-1.5

Sonographic appearance of aorta

anechoic, echogenic walls, pulsatile, and gradual tapering as moving distal

IVC appearence

anechoic, echogenic walls

IVC typical diameter

up to 4 cm, can vary and will change with respiration

IVC protocol

long IVC superior and trans IVC inferior, only 2 pictures

aorta

takes blood away from the left ventricle to the rest of the body, more to the left of midline, largest artery in the body and has 3 subsections

IVC

inferior vena cava, takes blood back to the heart, more to the right, largest vein in the body

Portal System

transports blood to the liver

tunica adventitia

outer layer of blood vessel; fibrous connective tissue; aka tunica externa

tunica media

middle layer, smooth muscle

tunica interna (intima)

endothelial layer that lines the lumen of all vessels

left gastric artery

branches off celiac trunk super small, feeds lower 1/3 of espohagus and stomach, usually do not see

splenic artery

largest branch of celiac trunk, goes left to spleen

common hepatic artery

branches 90 degrees right of celiac trunk to the liver

SMA

superior mesenteric artery- courses parallel with aorta

renal arteries

branch slightly inferior to SMA

IMA

inferior mesenteric artery- near bifurcation but is not usually seen

Common iliac arteries

branch near umbilicus

Proximal aorta

must be above the celiac trunk, good to see diaphragm

Mid aorta

under the celiac trunk and SMA

Distal aorta

below the renal arteries and before the bifurcation

bifurcation

leads to the common iliacs

phrenic arteries

supply the undersurface of the diaphragm

gonadal arteries and veins

supply and drain the gonads

lumbar arteries

supply spinal cord and more

suprarenal arteries and veins

supply and drain adrenal glands

portal system

major blood supply of the liver, takes blood from bowel and spleen (IMV, SMV, Splenic vein, Main portal vein, right and left)