Great Vessels of the Abdomen

Vocabulary flashcards covering key vessels and concepts from the Great Vessels of the Abdomen notes.

Great Vessels of the Abdomen

The major arteries and veins supplying the abdomen, including the abdominal aorta, IVC, and their principal branches.

Arterial Blood Supply

Arteries carry blood away from the heart; usually oxygenated; exception: pulmonary arteries.

Tunica Intima

Innermost vessel wall layer lining the lumen (endothelium).

Tunica Media

The middle muscular layer of a blood vessel wall."

Adventitia

Outer connective tissue layer of blood vessels.

Abdominal Aorta

Main artery of the abdomen; begins at the aortic hiatus (T12), runs along the spine left of midline, retroperitoneal; bifurcates at L4 into common iliac arteries.

Aortic Hiatus

Diaphragmatic opening at T12 through which the aorta passes.

Retroperitoneal

Space behind the peritoneum; many abdominal vessels reside here.

Celiac Trunk

First major branch of the aorta below the diaphragm; about 1 cm long; divides into common hepatic, splenic, and left gastric arteries.

Common Hepatic Artery

Branch that travels toward the liver and divides into hepatic artery proper and gastroduodenal artery.

Hepatic Artery Proper

Continuation of the common hepatic artery supplying the liver.

Gastroduodenal Artery

Branch of the hepatic artery supplying the stomach and duodenum region.

Splenic Artery

Branch of the celiac trunk that travels along the pancreas to the spleen.

Left Gastric Artery

Branch of the celiac trunk along the lesser curvature of the stomach.

Adrenal (Suprarenal) Arteries

Paired arteries arising from the aorta between the celiac axis and SMA; supply the adrenal glands; not routinely identified on ultrasound.

Superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA)

Second anterior branch of the abdominal aorta; courses anterior then inferior; supplies small intestine, ascending colon, and right/middle transverse colon.

Renal Arteries

Paired arteries arising from the aorta just below the SMA; supply the kidneys; right renal artery longer and typically behind the left; run posterior to renal veins.

Right Renal Artery

Longer than the left; often passes posterior to the IVC.

Left Renal Artery

Shorter than the right; arises below the SMA and travels to the left kidney.

Gonadal Arteries

Paired arteries from the anterior aorta below the renal arteries; travel inferiorly; ovarian in females, testicular in males.

Inferior Mesenteric Artery (IMA)

Anterior branch off the aorta at about L3; supplies left transverse, descending, sigmoid colon, and rectum; not typically seen on ultrasound.

Median Sacral Artery

Most inferior branch of the aorta; supplies the sacrum; not seen on ultrasound.

Lumbar Arteries

4–5 paired arteries arising lateral and posterior from the aorta; supply the lumbar region; not seen on ultrasound.

Common Iliac Arteries (CIA)

Bifurcate from the aorta at L4 into right and left CIA; travel downward and laterally; lie anterior to the common iliac veins; branch into internal and external iliac arteries.

Internal Iliac Artery

Branch of the common iliac artery; supplies pelvic organs.

External Iliac Artery

Branch of the common iliac artery; continues into the lower limb and becomes the femoral artery.

Inferior Vena Cava (IVC)

Largest vein; returns blood to the right heart; formed by union of the common iliac veins at L5; passes through the diaphragm at T8; upper IVC lies anterior to the aorta, lower IVC lies posterior to it.

Tributaries of the IVC

Common iliac veins, lumbar veins, right gonadal vein; left gonadal drains into the left renal vein.

Hepatic Veins

Right, middle, and left hepatic veins drain the liver into the IVC; join the IVC just below the diaphragm.

Renal Veins

Exit the renal hilum and drain into the lateral IVC; right renal vein is shorter; left renal vein crosses posterior to the SMA and anterior to the aorta; left gonadal and suprarenal veins drain into the left renal vein.

Adrenal Veins

Right adrenal vein drains into the IVC; left adrenal vein drains into the left renal vein; small and not typically identified on ultrasound.

Gonadal Veins

Also called ovarian (female) or testicular (male); paired; ascend along the psoas; right drains into the anterior IVC; left drains into the left renal vein.