Superior Mesenteric Artery

The superior mesenteric artery arises from the anterior surface of the aorta, just inferior to the origin of the celiac trunk, and supplies the intestine from the duodenum and pancreas to the left colic flexure.
Just after the superior mesenteric artery passes behind the neck of the pancreas, it starts giving off its branches (it is always possible to have slight variations to the branching pattern):
  • inferior pancreaticoduodenal - not shown on the image
  • middle colic - to the transverse colon
  • right colic - to ascending colon
  • ileocecal - to last part of ileum, cecum, and appendix
  • intestinal branches - to jejunum and ileum
The middle, right, and ileocecal branches anastomose with each other to form a "marginal" artery along the inner border of the colon. This artery is completed by branches of the left colic which is a branch of the inferior mesenteric

Inferior Mesenteric Artery

The inferior mesenteric artery supplies the large intestine from the left colic (or splenic) flexure to the upper part of the rectum. Its does this through the following branches:
  • left colic
  • sigmoid branches
  • superior rectal


Celiac Trunk   Posterior Abdomen


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