The abdominal aorta's first major branch, the celiac trunk, arises anteriorly at approximately the T12 vertebral level. This short artery is the primary blood supply of the foregut and foregut-derived organs in the superior abdominal cavity. The celiac trunk is an important blood vessel that may vary in form and branching pattern. Pancreatic dysfunction, liver failure, and hemorrhage are some of the conditions that can arise from celiac trunk pathology. Knowledge of this vessel's branches and their variants helps to interpret abdominal imaging studies and limit surgical complications appropriately. This topic discusses the anatomy and clinical importance of the celiac trunk.
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