[1] It travels down the posterior wall of the abdomen, anterior to the vertebral column.

It runs parallel to the inferior vena cava, which is located just to the right of the abdominal aorta, and becomes smaller in diameter as it gives off branches.

The abdominal aorta lies slightly to the left of the midline of the body.

On the right side it is in relation above with the azygos vein, cisterna chyli, thoracic duct, and the right crus of the diaphragm—the last separating it from the upper part of the inferior vena cava, and from the right celiac ganglion; the inferior vena cava is in contact with the aorta below.

The abdominal aorta's venous counterpart, the inferior vena cava (IVC), travels parallel to it on its right side.