inferior phrenic arteries (anatomy)

Last reviewed 01/2018

The inferior phrenic arteries are branches of the aorta. They originate from the lateral side of the artery just after it passes through its aperture in the diaphragm.

The right branch is slightly superior to the left branch. Both ascend superolaterally along the inside of the diaphragm to supply the crura. They ramify distally to supply the abdominal surface of the diaphragm.

Both phrenic arteries can give off multiple small branches to the suprarenal glands and the inferior oeosphagus.