Celiac Trunk

Question 1

What is the celiac trunk?

Answer 1

• the first unpaired branch from the abdominal aorta

- arises immediately below the aortic hiatus of the diaphragm

Question 2

What are the branches of the celiac trunk?

Answer 2

• left gastric artery and its branches
• splenic artery and its branches
• common hepatic artery and its branches

Question 3

What is the left gastric artery and its branches?

Answer 3

• the smallest branch of the celiac trunk
• runs along the lesser curvature within the lesser omentum to anastomose with the right gastric artery
• branches:
  1. esophageal branches - supply distal esophagus
  2. gastric branches - supply stomach

Question 4

What is the splenic artery and its branches?

Answer 4

• largest branch of the celiac trunk
• runs posterior to the stomach, along the superior border of the pancreas to terminate in the spleen
• branches:
  1. pancreatic branches - multiple branches to the pancreas
  2. short gastric arteries - to the fundus of the stomach
  3. left gastro-omental (gastroepiploic) artery - runs to the right along the greater curvature of the stomach within the greater omentum

Question 5

What is the common hepatic artery and its branches?

Answer 5

• runs to the right along the superior border of the pancreas
• it becomes the hepatic artery proper after giving off the gastroduodenal artery
• branches:
  1. gastroduodenal artery - descends behind the first part of the duodenum and gives off 3 branches:
  i. supraduodenal artery - to the superior aspect of the duodenum
  ii. right gastro-omental (gastroepiploic) artery - runs to the left along the greater curvature of the stomach within the greater omentum; anastomoses with the left gastro-omental artery
  iii. superior pancreaticoduodenal artery - passes between the duodenum and head of the pancreas
  2. hepatic artery proper - participates in the formation of the anterior border of the omental foramen; the bile duct is to the right and the portal vein lies behind it; gives off the following branches:
  i. right gastric artery - runs along the lesser curvature of the stomach within the lesser omentum to anastomose with the left gastric artery
  ii. right hepatic artery - to the right lobe of the liver
  a. cystic artery - to the gall bladder
  iii. left hepatic artery - to the left lobe of the liver