CVS Practice Test

The abdominal aorta is considered the largest artery in the abdomen because it is the main vessel responsible for distributing oxygenated blood from the heart to the lower parts of the body, including the abdominal organs. It begins at the diaphragm and runs down through the abdominal cavity, where it branches into several important arteries that supply blood to the organs and tissues of the abdomen.

In contrast, the inferior vena cava, while significant in transporting deoxygenated blood back to the heart, is not an artery and therefore does not fit the criteria of the question. The celiac trunk, although an important artery that branches from the abdominal aorta to supply the stomach, liver, and spleen, is smaller and has a more localized function compared to the abdominal aorta. The femoral artery primarily supplies blood to the lower limbs and is not located in the abdomen. Hence, the abdominal aorta stands out as the largest and most critical artery in the abdominal region.