Question

All of the following are lateral branches of the abdominal aorta, EXCEPT:

• A. Right testicular artery
• B. Left renal artery
• C. Inferior mesenteric artery
• D. Middle suprarenal artery

Hint:

Gut-supplying vessels leave the aorta anteriorly, not laterally.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: The branches of the abdominal aorta are grouped as ventral (anterior) branches, lateral branches, and dorsal (posterior) branches.

Step 2: The lateral (paired) branches of the abdominal aorta are the inferior phrenic arteries, the middle suprarenal arteries, the renal arteries, and the gonadal (testicular or ovarian) arteries. A useful mnemonic is "Inferior MS Ruin Gonads" for Inferior phrenic, Middle Suprarenal, Renal and Gonadal.

Step 3: The inferior mesenteric artery, in contrast, is a ventral (anterior) unpaired visceral branch of the abdominal aorta that supplies the hindgut. It is not a lateral branch.

Step 4: Therefore the right testicular, left renal and middle suprarenal arteries are all lateral branches, while the inferior mesenteric artery is the exception, so option c is correct.