Abdominal aorta

The abdominal aorta starts at level T12 as it traverses the diaphragm. It passes downwards in the midline in the retroperitoneum.

• Anterior relations: left renal vein, pancreas, lesser sac • Posterior relations: anterior longitudinal ligament and vertebral bodies • Right: cisterna chyli, thoracic duct, azygos vein • Left: duodenojejunal (DJ) flexure.