The anterior visceral branches of the abdominal aorta and their relationship to the renal arteries.

Variations in the anatomy of the abdominal aorta and its branches are of interest as vessel geometry not only determines flow dynamics, but is also crucial in the pathogenesis of vascular disease. The relationship between the anterior visceral and renal arteries is important when undertaking diagnostic arteriography and endovascular interventions. To examine these relationships, the length of the abdominal aorta was determined and measurements taken of the position of origin of the celiac artery, superior mesenteric artery (SMA), inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) and renal arteries, as well as the three-dimensional projection of each vessel from the aorta. The mean level of bifurcation of the aorta was at the lower third of the body of L4, with the celiac artery, SMA, renal arteries and IMA arising at the level of the T12/L1 intervertebral disc, upper third of the body of L1, lower third of the body of L1 and lower third of the body of L3, respectively. The horizontal projection of the celiac artery, SMA and IMA was to the left of the midline; in the sagittal plane, the celiac artery and SMA projected anteriorly and the IMA posteriorly; in the coronal plane all vessels projected inferiorly, with the SMA to the right and the IMA to the left. The celiac artery, SMA and both renal arteries all arise from the proximal half of the abdominal aorta within 45 mm of each other, with the origins of the renal arteries being remarkably consistent. It is concluded that the celiac artery and SMA are both useful landmarks for determining the position of the renal arteries.