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 |
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