Additional notes

Question 1

Origin of the abdominal aorta

Answer 1

T12
Continuation of thoracic aorta
Posterior to the median arcuate ligament and the crura of the diaphragm

Question 2

Course of the abdominal aorta

Answer 2

Retroperioneal structure
Anterior and left of the vertebral bodies
Bifurcates into the common iliac arteries at L4

Question 3

Unpaired branches of the abdominal aorta

Answer 3

Coeliac artery T12
SMA L1
IMA L3
Median sacral artery L4

Question 4

Paired branches if the abdominal aorta

Answer 4

Adrenal arteries
Renal arteries (L1-2)
Gonadal arteries (L2-3)
Inferior phrenic arteries
Lumbar arteries

Question 5

Anterior relations of the AA between the origins of the coeliac artery and the SMA

Answer 5

Splenic vein

Body of the pancreas

Question 6

Anterior relations of the AA between the origins of the SMA and IMA

Answer 6

Left renal vein
Uncinate process of pancreas
3rd part of the duodenum

Question 7

Branches of the coeliac artery

Answer 7

Left gastric artery
Splenic artery
Common hepatic artery

Question 8

Course of the coeliac artery

Answer 8

Runs anteriorly from the AA at T12
Surrounded by coeliac plexus and coeliac lymph nodes
Branches at the upper border of the pancreas

Question 9

Viscera supplied by the coeliac artey

Answer 9

Foregut structures 
Distal oesophagus -> ampulla of cater
Liver
Gall bladder 
Spleen
Pancreas

Question 10

Hemiazygos vein

Answer 10

Origin: confluence of left ascending lumbar and subcostal veins
Course: enters thorax thru aortic hiatus or crura of diaphragm
Ascends left of the midline in the posterior mediastinum
At T8 or T9 it crosses the midline anteriorly to the vertebral column
Drains into: azygos vein.

Question 11

Azygos vein

Answer 11

Origin: confluence of ascending lumbar and right subcostal veins
Course: enters thorax through the aortic hiatus at T12
Ascends in the posterior mediastinum, arches over the right main bronchus posteriorly to join the SVC at T5/6 (arcus venae azygos)