CT ABDOMEN/PELVIS ANATOMY
USC/SOM
Department of Radiology
Kirk Peterson, MD
Class of 2004
In this sequence of images, we will label the
abdominal vasculature. The CT images are 5mm
slices with soft tissue window settings. IV and
oral contrast have been administered which
causes the vessels and GI tract to appear
hyperdense (white). Some images will contain
labels to assist with tracking the vessels. Practice
paging up and down to trace vessel’s origin and
termination. It is best to view these images in the
movie mode
IMAGES ARE VIEWED AS LOOKING FROM THE FEET
RIGHT
LEFT
Follow the IV contrast filled Aorta as we descend caudally. Branches and points
of interest will be noted.
Azygous Vein. Hemiazygous Vein
This is an excellent image of the right, middle and left hepatic veins draining into the Inferior
Vena Cava. Don’t confuse this structure with the IVC, this is the esophagus at the level of the
Lower esophageal sphincter, page up and down to confirm this.
The outline of the Inferior Vena Cava is more
distinct in this image.
Portal Vein Branching into the Liver
Stomach
Liver
More portal vein branching into
the liver lobes
Splenic Artery. Splenic Vein. Scroll up and down
to confirm.
Spleen
Splenic Vein
Proper Hepatic Artery. Splenic Vein
Portal vein
Adrenal
Glands
You can see the Celiac artery starting to branch from the
Aorta. You can follow this down in the next four images
Proper Hepatic Artery is labeled in the upper right The splenic
vein and artery are in the lower left
Proper Hepatic Artery and Splenic Artery
(the splenic artery is the circle).
Splenic Vein
Here the Splenic Vein is emptying into the portal vein.
Follow this up and down.
Pancreas
This is the Superior Mesenteric Artery branching
off the Aorta.
Rt. and Lt.Kidneys
Pancreas
Renal Veins emptying into the IVC. We also see the right renal artery branching
off the Aorta, follow it down till you see it enter the right kidney. The Superior
Mesenteric Vein is outlined on the top of this image. If you follow the SMV up, you
will see it empty into the Portal Vein.
Here we see the right and left renal vein entering into the Inferior Vena Cava. We
Also see the left renal artery branching off the aorta and heading toward the left
kidney. Page up and down to trace these vessels.
Superior Mesenteric Vein – follow it up as it joins the Splenic
Vein to form the Portal Vein
Transverse Colon
Small Bowell
Note inferior mesenteric artery emerging from aorta
Inferior mesenteric vein extends cephalad to join smv.
Aorta bifurcates into common illiac arteries
Appendix is noted coiling in Rt. Lower quadrant
Note air in lumen on adjacent scans
Psoas
muscles