[Location of the aortic bifurcation in man and its practical significance in vascular surgery].

Based on analysis of arteriography in 300 subjects of different age and sex, as well as 4 human fetuses, we demonstrated that in the course of an individual's life aortal bifurcation moves caudally. In a fetus, bifurcation is located at the level of L3, while in an adult it moves to the level of L4. After the age of 50, the position of bifurcation moves gradually caudally and can reach--in the advanced age--as far as the level of L5/S1 disc. The changes of position during a lifetime are statistically significant. A shift in the position of the bifurcation of abdominal aorta can be of significance for surgical interventions on the abdominal aorta.