886 



THE YASCULAE SYSTEM. 



a line drawn transversely across the abdomen on a level with the highest points of 

 the iliac crests. 



At its commencement it is 21 mm. in diameter, but after the origin of two large 

 branches, the coeliac and the superior mesenteric arteries, it diminishes considerably, 

 and then retains a fairly uniform diameter to its termination. 



Relations. Posteriorly, it is in contact with the upper four lumbar vertebrae and 

 intervening fibro-cartilages, the anterior longitudinal ligament, and the left lumbar veins ; 



Hepatic vein*. 



Inferior phrenic artery 



Suprarenal glancL 

 Inferior vena cav 



Renal arter 

 Renal vein 



Right ovarian vein 

 Ovarian artery 



Urete 

 Psoas major muscle 



Ascending colo: 



Common iliac vein 



Common iliac artery 



Middle sacral artery 



Ileum 



Csecu 



External iliac 

 artery 



External iliac 

 vein 



Median umbili- 

 cal ligamen 



Oesophagus 



Cms of diaphragm 



Mi - Inferior phrenic 

 artery 



Suprarenal gland 

 Coeliac artery 

 Suprarenal visin 

 - Superior 



mesenteric artery 

 Renal artery 



Renal vein 

 Lumbar arteries 



Left colic artery 



Ovarian artery 

 Inferior mesenteric 

 artery 

 Descending colon 



s major muscle 

 Common iliac artery 

 Sigmoid artery 



Common iliac vei 

 Superior luvmor- 

 rhoidal artery 



Iliac colon 

 Pelvic colon 



External iliac 

 artery 



External iliac ve 



terine tube 



FIG. 758. THE ABDOMINAL AORTA AND ITS BRANCHES IN A FORMALIN-HARDENED PREPARATION. 



the lumbar and the middle sacral arteries spring from the posterior surface of the vessel 

 Anteriorly, and in close relation with it, there are from above downwards the followin 

 structures : the coeliac axis and coeliac plexus, the pancreas and splenic vein, the superio 

 mesenteric artery, the left renal vein, the third part of the duodenum, the root of th 

 mesentery, the aortic plexus, the inferior mesenteric artery, the peritoneum and coils c 

 small intestine. More superficially the stomach, the transverse colon, and the greater an 

 lesser omenta are in front. On the right side, in the upper part of its extent, are tb 

 thoracic duct and cisterna chyli, the vena azygos, and the right crus of the diaphragn 

 the latter separating it from the right coeliac ganglion and from the upper part of 1 



