192 HUMAN ANATOMY. 



vertebral column and is in relation with the vena azygos minor ; on the 

 right side it is in relation with the thoracic duct, the oesophagus at 

 its upper part, and the vena azygos major; on the left aide with the 

 left lung, the pleura, and the resophagus below. 



The branches of the thoracic aorta are : 



Pericardiac, supply the pericardium; 



Bronchial, two or three in number, supply the broncl i i ; 



(Esophageal, supply the oasophagus; 



Posterior mediastinal, supply the neighboring pleura and 

 lymphatic glands; 



Intercostal, ten on each side, supply the intercostal spaces. 

 They divide into anterior branch, to intercostal and pectoral 

 muscles ; posterior branch, to spinal column and dorsal muscles. 



THE ABDOMINAL AORTA 



descends from the last dorsal vertebra at the aortic opening of 

 the diaphragm, to opposite the fourth lumbar vertebra, a little to 

 the left of the median line, where it divides into the two common 

 iliac arteries. 



Relations. The abdominal aorta is in relation in front with the 

 pancreas, transverse duodenum, stomach, and lesser omentmn, the mr- 

 entery, splenic vein, left renal vein, coeliac, solar, and aortic plexuses; 

 behind it is in relation with the vertebral column, the thoracic duct, 

 the left lumbar veins, and the receptaculum chyli; on the right side 

 with the inferior vena cava, vena azygos, thoracic duct, the right crus of 

 tne diaphragm above, and the right scmilunar ganglion; on the left side 

 with the left semilunar ganglion and the sympathetic nerve. 



The branches of the abdominal aorta are: 

 Phrenic, two in number, supply the diaphragm ; 

 Coeliac axis, divides into three large branches, the gastric, 

 hepatic, and splenic; 



1. Gastric, or coronaria ventriculi, is the smallest, and sup- 

 plies the lesser curvature of the stomach ; 



2. Hepatic, enters the transverse fissure of the liver, and 

 divides into two branches to supply the lobes of the liver. It 

 gives off: 



Pyloric, to lesser curvature of stomach; 



Gastro-duodenalis, which descends behind the pylorus, and divides 

 into 



Pancreatico-duodenalis superior branch to supply the pancreas 



and duodenum ; 

 Gaslro-opiploica dextra, along the greater curvature of the 



stomach from right to left. 

 Cystic, supplies the gall-bladder. 



