Final answer:
The maneuver referred to for mobilizing the descending colon to expose the abdominal aorta is the Cattel maneuver. This allows access to structures behind the colon while preserving the blood supply through various arteries.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mobilization of the descending colon to the midline to expose the abdominal aorta is known as the Cattel maneuver. This surgical technique detaches the colon from its retroperitoneal position to provide access to structures lying behind it, such as the abdominal aorta. During a Cattel maneuver, care must be taken to preserve the blood supply to the colon, which includes vessels like the superior mesenteric, gastro-omental, pancreaticoduodenal, middle colic, right colic, ileocolic, and other intestinal arteries. The mesocolon attaches parts of the large intestine, including the transverse and sigmoid colon, to the posterior abdominal wall, which the surgeon has to navigate during the maneuver.