abdominal aorta, the portion of the descending aorta that passes through the diaphragm into the abdomen, descending anterior to the vertebral column and ending at the fourth lumbar vertebra, where it divides into the two common iliac arteries. It supplies blood to abdominal structures, such as the testes, ovaries, kidneys, and stomach. Its branches are the celiac, superior mesenteric, inferior mesenteric, middle suprarenal, renal, testicular, ovarian, inferior phrenic, lumbar, middle sacral, and common iliac arteries. Compare thoracic aorta. See also descending aorta.
