On its right side are the cisterna chyli, thoracic duct, azygos vein, right crus of the diaphragm, and the inferior vena cava.
On its left side is the left crus of the diaphragm.
Branches of the abdominal aorta (Table 4.3) can be classified as: visceral branches supplying organs, posterior branches supplying the diaphragm or body wall, or terminal branches.