Arterial Supply of the Gastrointestinal Tract

Arterial Supply of the G.I.T.

• The arterial supply of the G.I.T. is divided into three main parts: foregut, midgut, and hindgut.

Foregut

• Supplied by the celiac artery
• Extends from the lower 1/3 of the esophagus to the middle of the second part of the duodenum
• Also supplies the liver, spleen, and pancreas

Celiac Artery

• First unpaired median branch of the abdominal aorta
• Short and wide trunk (about 1 cm long)
• Arises from the aorta at the level of the twelfth thoracic vertebra
• Lies behind the lesser sac
• Has three terminal branches: left gastric artery, splenic artery, and common hepatic artery

Branches of the Celiac Trunk

• Left gastric artery: supplies the abdominal part of the esophagus and the upper right part of the stomach
• Splenic artery: largest branch, supplies the spleen
  • Runs to the left in a tortuous course along the superior border of the pancreas
  • Enters the splenicorenal ligament and runs to the hilum of the spleen
• Common hepatic artery: supplies the liver, stomach, and duodenum
  • Divides into proper hepatic artery and gastroduodenal artery at the first part of the duodenum

Midgut

• Supplied by the superior mesenteric artery
• Extends from the middle of the second part of the duodenum to the distal third of the transverse colon

Superior Mesenteric Artery

• Second median branch of the abdominal aorta
• Arises from the front of the aorta at the level of the first lumbar vertebra
• Supplies the distal part of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, and transverse colon

Hindgut

• Supplied by the inferior mesenteric artery
• Extends from the distal third of the transverse colon to the upper half of the anal canal