What is the spinal level associated with the coeliac trunk?

The coeliac trunk is an important artery that arises from the abdominal aorta and supplies blood to the upper abdominal organs. The anatomical significance of the spinal level is crucial for understanding the vascular supply in relation to nerve root levels.

The coeliac trunk emerges from the abdominal aorta at the level of T12, which is just below the diaphragm and marks the transition from the thoracic to the abdominal cavity. This level is critical as it signifies the branching of the aorta before it splits into the renal arteries at the L1 level. The key branches of the coeliac trunk, including the left gastric artery, splenic artery, and common hepatic artery, subsequently supply various organs such as the stomach, spleen, and liver.

Knowing that T12 is the correct spinal level helps with clinical correlations, especially in surgical practices and interventions related to abdominal organs, enabling a practitioner to anticipate vascular anatomy during procedures.