Definition of Aorta, abdominal Aorta, abdominal: The abdominal
aorta is the final section of the aorta, the largest artery in
the body. It is a continuation of the thoracic aorta. It begins
at the diaphragm, and runs down to the point where it ends (by
splitting in two to form the common iliac arteries). The
abdominal aorta supplies oxygenated blood to all of the
abdominal and pelvic organs and the legs. Like the other
sections of the aorta (the ascending aorta, aortic arch and
thoracic aorta), the abdominal aorta is an arbitrary anatomic
entity. The aorta is one continuous conduit that arises out of
the left ventricle of the heart to carry blood to the body.
Nonetheless, the abdominal aorta is a hallowed and convenient
subdivision of the aorta. The abdominal aorta is also known in
medical Latin as the aorta abdominalis or the pars abdominalis
aortae (under which it is often hidden in standard print medical
dictionaries).Source: MedTerms™ Medical Dictionary Last
Editorial Review: 6/14/2012 Medical Dictionary