Anatomy

Para-Aortic Bodies

Small masses of chromaffin cells found near the SYMPATHETIC GANGLIA along the ABDOMINAL AORTA, beginning cranial to the superior mesenteric artery (MESENTERIC ARTERY, SUPERIOR) or renal arteries and extending to the level of the aortic bifurcation or just beyond. They are also called the organs of Zuckerkandl and sometimes called aortic bodies (not to be confused with AORTIC BODIES in the THORAX). The para-aortic bodies are the dominant source of CATECHOLAMINES in the FETUS and normally regress after BIRTH.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Small masses of chromaffin cells found near the SYMPATHETIC GANGLIA along the ABDOMINAL AORTA, beginning cranial to the superior mesenteric artery (MESENTERIC ARTERY, SUPERIOR) or renal arteries and extending to the level of the aortic bifurcation or just beyond. They are also called the organs of Zuckerkandl and sometimes called aortic bodies (not to be confused with AORTIC BODIES in the THORAX). The para-aortic bodies are the dominant source of CATECHOLAMINES in the FETUS and normally regress after BIRTH.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

Knowledge Graph

Loading graph…

Drag nodes to rearrange; hover to trace links; click a node to open its page.

MeSH Record

Synonyms

12 entry terms
  • Organ of Zuckerkandl
  • Organs of Zuckerkandl
  • Paraaortic Bodies
  • Bodies, Para-Aortic
  • Bodies, Paraaortic
  • Body, Para-Aortic
  • Body, Paraaortic
  • Para Aortic Bodies
  • Para-Aortic Body
  • Paraaortic Body
  • Zuckerkandl Organ
  • Zuckerkandl Organs

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

15 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings chemistry, classification, cytology, drug effects, enzymology, immunology, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, pathology, physiology, radiation effects, transplantation, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

do not confuse with AORTIC BODIES

MeSH Record

History Note

91(75); was see under CHROMAFFIN SYSTEM 1975-90

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

  1. A06w.224.636w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Para-Aortic Bodies. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D010220. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D010220
  2. Para-Aortic Bodies. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organ_of_Zuckerkandl
  3. Para-Aortic Bodies. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3355932