Abdomen Ultrasound Registry Review Practice Exam 2026 - Complete Test Prep

Arterial tortuosity reflects a vessel’s elongated, winding path to reach its target organ. The splenic artery develops a long, winding course as it leaves the celiac trunk, travels along the superior border of the pancreas, then loops around the stomach to reach the spleen’s hilum. Those multiple bends create a serpentine trajectory, making it the most tortuous of abdominal arteries. In comparison, the hepatic artery takes a shorter, more direct route to the liver; the celiac trunk is a short stem with branches rather than a long winding path; and the superior mesenteric artery descends relatively straight toward the midgut with only gentle curves.