Trace the common hepatic artery proximally to its origin from the celiac trunk. The celiac trunk is a short, thick unpaired artery that arises from the anterior aspect of the abdominal aorta at the level of the intervertebral disk between T12 and L1 vertebrae (Figure 38.1). Identify the dense network of nerve fibers that surround the celiac trunk and its branches. This network is called the celiac plexus. Some of its fibers arise from the paired celiac ganglia which are found on either side of the celiac trunk. The celiac plexus provides the autonomic nerve supply to the abdominal viscera supplied by the celiac trunk and its branches.