Anatomical Considerations of Abdominal aorta in Ultrasound

The abdominal aorta is entirely a retroperitoneal structure. It begins at the aortic hiatus of the diaphragm at approximately the 12th thoracic vertebrae and courses anterior to the spine before bifurcating into the common iliac arteries. The inferior vena cava (IVC) courses to the right of the abdominal aorta and may be confused for the abdominal aorta by novice sonologists. The psoas muscle and kidney are posterior-lateral to the abdominal aorta on the left side............

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Branches of the abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava. SMA = superior mesenteric artery.......

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