Multiple Variations in Abdominal Aorta Branching and Their Clinical Significance: A Case Report

The abdominal aorta extends from the T12 vertebra and terminates at the L4 vertebra. It gives off anterior, lateral, and posterior branches that supply the abdominal viscera and vertebrae at this level, eventually dividing into the common iliac arteries. Dissection of the abdominal aorta and its branches from a female cadaver revealed several variations: the right inferior phrenic artery arose from the celiac trunk, the left middle suprarenal artery originated at the L1 vertebra, while the right middle suprarenal artery arose at the L2 vertebra, and the left and right renal arteries emerged from the L2 and L1 vertebrae, respectively. The gonadal arteries did not originate from the abdominal aorta. Inferior phrenic arteries may arise from the abdominal aorta, celiac trunk, or occasionally form renal arteries and are linked with extrahepatic supply in hepatocellular carcinoma. Middle suprarenal arteries typically originate from the abdominal aorta at L1, but may occasionally arise from L2 or be absent. Variations in the middle suprarenal arteries often correspond with variations in the inferior phrenic and gonadal arteries. Renal arteries may arise at the L1 vertebra, the L1/L2 intervertebral disc, or the L2 vertebra, with additional variations reported. The gonadal arteries may not originate from the abdominal aorta in some cases. These branching variations of the abdominal aorta are important for clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic procedures and should be documented accordingly.