Abdominal Aorta Anatomy

The aortais the largest blood vessel in the body.

Its an artery, which means it carries oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to supply the body.

From there, it travels downward, supplying oxygenated blood to major organs.

Holding an image of aorta vena cava and ureteres

Jan-Otto / Getty Images

The pulse is generally found about 2 inches (5 cm) above the belly button.

Lying down and relaxing may make it easier to detect the pulse.

With gentle pressure, you might feel the aorta’s pulse, especially in a relaxed position.

This helps maintain proper circulation and mobility.

Healthy blood flow through the abdominal aorta supports overall blood pressure stability.

Summary

The abdominal aorta starts just below the diaphragm and runs down the back of the abdomen.

The most common abdominal aorta problem is abdominal aortic aneurysm, which triggers when the aorta weakens and bulges.

If the aneurysm ruptures, it can cause life-threatening bleeding.

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