Arteries of the Abdomen Flashcards
Describe the coeliac trunk.
The coeliac trunk is a major artery of the abdomen. It arises from the abdominal aorta and supplies many of the GI viscera.
What is the anatomical position of the coeliac trunk?
The coeliac trunk is the second branch of the abdominal aorta. It arises from the anterior aspect of the aorta, at the aortic hiatus of the diaphragm (T12 level).
What are the major branches of the coeliac trunk?
left gastric, splenic and common hepatic arteries.
Describe the course of the left gastric artery.
The left gastric artery ascends across the diaphragm, giving rise to esophageal branches, before continuing anteriorly along the lesser curvature of the stomach. Here, it anastamoses with the right gastric artery.
Describe the course of the splenic artery.
It travels left towards the spleen, running posterior to the stomach and along the superior margin of the pancreas. It terminates into five branches which supply the segments of the spleen.
What areas do branches of the splenic artery supply?
spleen
fundus and greater curvature of stomach
body and tail of pancreas
What artery is the sole arterial supply to the liver?
Common hepatic artery.
Describe the course of the common hepatic artery.
As it travels past the superior aspect of the duodenum, it divides into its two terminal branches - the proper hepatic and gastroduodenal arteries.
Which branches does the proper hepatic artery give rise to?
Right gastric
Right and left hepatic
Cystic
which branch of the proper hepatic > right hepatic artery supplies the gallbladder?
cystic artery (branch of the right hepatic artery).
Which branch of the proper hepatic artery supplies the pylorus and lesser curvature of the stomach?
right gastric artery
which branches of the proper hepatic artery supply the liver?
right and left hepatic.
What areas does the gastroduodenal artery supply?
pylorus of stomach
superior part of duodenum
head of pancreas
What is the only organ to receive arterial supply from the three branches of the coeliac trunk? and how is this achieved?
The stomach.
Through a system of anastomoses along the greater and lesser curvatures of the stomach.
Describe the superior mesenteric artery (SMA).
The SMA is a major artery of the abdomen. It arises from the abdominal aorta, and supplies arterial blood to the organs of the midgut.
What is the anatomical position of the SMA?
The SMA is the second of the three major anterior branches of the abdominal aorta. It arises anteriorly from the abdominal aorta at the level of the L1 vertebrae, immediately inferior to the origin of the coeliac trunk.
Which structures are anterior to the SMA?
pyloric part of the stomach, splenic vein and neck of the pancreas.
which structures are posterior to the SMA?
left renal vein, ucinate process of the pancreas and inferior part of the duodenum.
What areas do branches of the SMA supply?
small intestines, cecum, ascending and part of transverse colon.
which branch of the SMA supplies the transverse colon?
middle colic artery
which branch of the SMA supplies the ascending colon?
right colic artery.
What is the mesentery?
The mesentery is a double fold of peritoneal tissue that suspends the small intestine and large intestine from the posterior abdominal wall.
Describe the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA).
The IMA is a major branch of the abdominal aorta. It supplies arterial blood to the organs of the hindgut.
What is the anatomical position of the IMA?
The IMA is the last of the three major branches of the abdominal aorta. It arises at L3, near the inferior border of the duodenum, 3-4cm abover where the aorta bifurcates into the common iliac arteries.
Why is the IMA a retroperitoneal structure?
It is situated behind the peritoneum.
What are the three major branches of the IMA?
left colic artery
sigmoid artery
superior rectal artery
Which branch of the IMA supplies the distal 1/3 of the transverse colon and descending colon?
Left colic artery
Which branch of the IMA supplies the descending and sigmoid colon?
sigmoid arteries
Which branch of the IMA supplies the rectum?
Superior rectal artery.
which branch of the SMA supplies the pancreas, ucinate and duodenum?
Inferior Pancreaticoduodenal Artery
which branches of the SMA supply the jejunum and ileum?
Jejunal and Ileal Arteries
which branch of the SMA supplies the caecum, ascending colon, appendix and ileum?
iliocolic artery
