Abdominal Aorta
Overview
The abdominal aorta is a powerful trunk that brings life-giving blood from the heart down through your belly. Starting just below the diaphragm, it travels along your spine, protected deep within the abdomen, and supplies blood to vital organs every moment of the day.
Branches for Digestion, Kidneys, and Legs
As the abdominal aorta moves downward, it sends out many branches:
Some arteries deliver nutrients to your stomach, liver (Celiac Trunk), and intestines (Mesenteric Arteries), helping your body digest food.
Others travel to the kidneys for filtering blood and making urine (Renal Arteries).
Some even provide blood to your testicles/ovaries (Testicular/ Ovarian Arteries).
At its lower end, the abdominal aorta splits into right and left common iliac arteries, supplying blood to your legs and pelvis.
These branches help keep your organs healthy and your legs strong.
Size and Health
The abdominal aorta usually measures about 2.0–2.5 cm across, but its diameter can vary. Its elastic walls help withstand the constant pressure of blood flow. Protecting the health of the abdominal aorta is important, because diseases, like aneurysms, tears, or hardening, can develop and threaten blood supply to major organs.
When the Abdominal Aorta Gets Sick
Problems in the abdominal aorta include aneurysms (ballooning), dissections (tearing inside the wall), and blockages. These can affect blood flow and, if untreated, may be life-threatening. Special scans and treatments can help prevent serious complications. Read more about these conditions in other chapters of this website.