Visceral Branches

Celiac Artery – This is the first visceral branch from the aorta inferior to the diaphragm. The celiac trunk divides into three branches:
1. Left Gastric artery – smallest of the 3 arteries
Supplies the stomach and esophagus
2. Splenic artery – largest of the 3 arteries
Supplies the spleen
Gives rise to 3 arteries:
* Pancreatic artery – supplies pancreas
* Left gastroepiploic artery – supplies the stomach and greater
omentum
* Short gastric artery – supplies the stomach
3. Common hepatic artery – gives rise to 3 arteries:
* Proper hepatic artery – supplies the liver, gallbladder and stomach
* Right gastric artery – supplies the stomach
* Gastroduodenal artery – supplies the stomach, duodenum of the
small intestine, pancreas, and greater omentum

Superior Mesenteric Artery – Arises from the anterior surface of the abdominal aorta about 1 cm inferior to the celiac artery. Gives rise to 5 branches:
1. Inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery – supplies the pancreas and duodenum
2. Jejunal and ileal arteries – supplies the jejunum and ileum of the small
intestine, respectively
3. Ileocolic artery – supplies the ileum and ascending colon of the large
intestine
4. Right colic artery – supplies the ascending colon
5. Middle colic artery - supplies the transverse colon of the large intestine

Inferior Mesenteric Artery – (not labeled) Arises from the anterior aspect of the abdominal aorta. Gives rise to 3 branches:
1. Left colic artery – supplies transverse colon and descending colon of the
large intestine
2. Sigmoid arteries – supplies the descending colon and sigmoid colon of the
large intestine
3. Superior rectal artery – supplies the rectum of the large intestine

Suprarenal arteries (paired) – Three pairs of suprarenal arteries supply the adrenal glands (superior, middle and inferior). Only the middle pair originates directly from the abdominal aorta. The superior arteries arise from the inferior phrenic artery and the inferior suprarenal arteries originate from the renal arteries.

Renal arteries (paired) – supplies blood to the kidneys, adrenal glands and ureters.

Gonadal arteries (paired) – In males, the gonadal arteries are referred to as the testicular arteries. They supply the testes, epididymis, and ureters. In females, the gonadal arteries are called the ovarian arteries. They are much shorter than the testicular arteries and supply the ovaries, uterine (Fallopian) tubes and ureters.

Parietal Branches (not labeled)

Median sacral artery – supplies the sacrum and coccyx

Inferior phrenic arteries (paired) – Immediately superior to celiac trunk. Distributed to the inferior surface of the diaphragm and adrenal glands.

Lumbar arteries (paired) – supply lumbar vertebrae, spinal cord, meninges and to the muscles and skin of the lumbar region