The aortic bifurcation is the point at which the
abdominal aorta
In human anatomy, the abdominal aorta is the largest artery in the abdominal cavity. As part of the aorta, it is a direct continuation of the descending aorta (of the thorax).
Structure
The abdominal aorta begins at the level of the diaphr ...
bifurcates (forks) into the left and right
common iliac arteries
The common iliac artery is a large artery of the abdomen paired on each side. It originates from the aortic bifurcation at the level of the 4th lumbar vertebra. It ends in front of the sacroiliac joint, one on either side, and each bifurcates i ...
. The aortic bifurcation is usually seen at the level of
L4, just above the junction of the left and right
common iliac veins.
The right common iliac artery passes in front of the left common iliac vein. In some individual, mainly women with
lumbar lordosis this vein can be compressed between the vertebra and the artery. This is the so-called
Cockett syndrome
Cockett ( cy, Y Cocyd) is a district and community in Swansea, Wales falling within Cockett ward. It is located about north-west of Swansea city centre. It includes the eastern half of Gowerton.
Cockett, in common with much of western Swanse ...
or
May–Thurner syndrome
May–Thurner syndrome (MTS), also known as the iliac vein compression syndrome, is a condition in which compression of the common venous outflow tract of the left lower extremity may cause discomfort, swelling, pain or clots (deep venous thrombo ...
can cause a slower venous flow and the possibility of
deep venous thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a type of venous thrombosis involving the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, most commonly in the legs or pelvis. A minority of DVTs occur in the arms. Symptoms can include pain, swelling, redness, and enla ...
in the left leg mainly in
pregnancy
Pregnancy is the time during which one or more offspring develops ( gestates) inside a woman's uterus (womb). A multiple pregnancy involves more than one offspring, such as with twins.
Pregnancy usually occurs by sexual intercourse, but ...
.
In surface anatomy, the bifurcation approximately corresponds to the umbilicus.
Additional images
Image:Gray531.png, The abdominal aorta
In human anatomy, the abdominal aorta is the largest artery in the abdominal cavity. As part of the aorta, it is a direct continuation of the descending aorta (of the thorax).
Structure
The abdominal aorta begins at the level of the diaphr ...
and its branches.
Image:Gray847.png, Abdominal portion of the sympathetic trunk, with the celiac and hypogastric plexuses.
Image:Gray1121.png, Posterior abdominal wall, after removal of the peritoneum
The peritoneum is the serous membrane forming the lining of the abdominal cavity or coelom in amniotes and some invertebrates, such as annelids. It covers most of the intra-abdominal (or coelomic) organs, and is composed of a layer of mes ...
, showing kidneys, supra-renal capsules, and great vessels.
References
bifurcation
Abdomen
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