The aorta is the artery through which the heart pumps blood for the body. Shortly after it leaves the heart, the aorta splits into two branches: the thoracic aorta (which supplies the upper part of the body) and the abdominal aorta (which supplies the body's lower half). The abdominal aorta can develop many different disorders that can be very serious.
Aneurysm
According to the Society for Vascular Surgery, one disorder that can affect the abdominal aorta is an aneurysm. Sometimes small portions of the artery's wall can become weak. Because the arteries are under high pressure, this weakened portion of the wall can then bulge or expand, sort of like a balloon. This bulge can cause the walls of the weakened portion of the artery to be stretched dangerously thin. The most serious risk from an abdominal aorta aneurysm is that it can rupture. Because the abdominal aorta is a large artery, this can cause massive internal bleeding and can be fatal. Symptoms of an abdominal aorta aneurysm include a pulsing sensation in your abdomen, or sudden pain in your abdomen or lower back. Aneurysms can be repaired surgically to prevent rupture.
Blockage
According to Merck, the abdominal aorta can become blocked, either partially or totally. The abdominal aorta can be affected by a process called atherosclerosis, which is caused by cholesterol building up in the walls of the aorta. This cholesterol buildup causes the formation of plaques in the arteries, which cause the arteries to become narrowed and harder. This increases blood pressure in the body. Narrowing of the abdominal aorta also makes it more likely to become completely blocked by blood clots. Pieces of atherosclerotic plaques from the abdominal aorta can also break off and travel to other parts of the body, blocking off those arteries.
Dissection
The abdominal aorta can also be involved in a condition known as aortic dissection. This is when a tear develops in the inner wall of the aorta, causing the aorta to be split into two sections: one in which the blood is moving, and one in which the blood is static. The static channel may expand as the aortic dissection progresses. Aortic dissections in the abdomen typically present with a sudden tearing or burning pain in the abdomen or lower back. They usually need to be surgically repaired to prevent further spread and rupture of the affected areas.
