Celiac artery

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
(Redirected from
Celiac trunk
)
Celiac artery
trunk, showing celiac artery in middle
Details
Precursorvitelline arteries
Sourceabdominal aorta
Branchesleft gastric artery
common hepatic artery
splenic artery
Identifiers
Latintruncus coeliacus, arteria coeliaca
MeSHD002445
TA98A12.2.12.012
TA24211
FMA50737
Anatomical terminology]

The celiac (/ˈsli.æk/) artery (also spelled coeliac), also known as the celiac trunk or truncus coeliacus, is the first major branch of the abdominal aorta. It is about 1.25 cm in length. Branching from the aorta at thoracic vertebra 12 (T12) in humans, it is one of three anterior/ midline branches of the abdominal aorta (the others are the superior and inferior mesenteric arteries).

Structure

The celiac artery is the first major branch of the descending abdominal aorta, branching at a 90° angle.[1][2] This occurs just below the crus of the diaphragm.[2] This is around the first lumbar vertebra.[3]

There are three main divisions of the celiac artery, and each in turn has its own named branches:

Artery Branches
left gastric artery[2] esophageal branch, stomach branch
common hepatic artery[2]
splenic artery[2]
left gastro-omental artery, greater pancreatic artery

The celiac artery may also give rise to the inferior phrenic arteries.[citation needed]

Function

The celiac artery supplies oxygenated blood to the liver, stomach, abdominal esophagus, spleen, and the superior half of both the duodenum and the pancreas.[2] These structures correspond to the embryonic foregut. (Similarly, the superior mesenteric artery and inferior mesenteric artery feed structures arising from the embryonic midgut and hindgut respectively. Note that these three anterior branches of the abdominal aorta are distinct and cannot substitute for one another, although there are limited connections between their terminal branches.)

The celiac artery is an essential source of blood, since the interconnections with the other major arteries of the gut are not sufficient to sustain adequate perfusion. Thus it cannot be safely ligated in a living person, and obstruction of the celiac artery will lead to necrosis of the structures it supplies. [citation needed]

Drainage

The celiac artery is the only major

digestive organs
that does not have a similarly named vein.

Most blood returning from the digestive organs (including from the area of distribution of the celiac artery) is diverted to the liver via the

hepatic veins
.

In contrast to the drainage of midgut and hindgut structures by the

hepatic portal vein
or via smaller tributaries of the portal venous system.

Clinical significance

Aneurysms in the celiac artery account for around 4% of visceral artery aneurysms.[4][5] This may cause abdominal pain.[5]

The celiac artery is vulnerable to compression from the crus of the diaphragm during ventilation where it originates from the abdominal aorta.[1] This is known as median arcuate ligament syndrome.[6] This may present no symptoms, but can cause pain due to restricted blood flow to the superior mesenteric artery.[1]

Additional images

  • Animated volume-rendered CT scan of abdominal and pelvic blood vessels
    Animated volume-rendered CT scan of abdominal and pelvic blood vessels
  • Abdominal part of digestive tube and its attachment to the primitive or common mesentery; human embryo at six weeks
    Abdominal part of digestive tube and its attachment to the primitive or common mesentery; human embryo at six weeks
  • The pancreas and duodenum from behind
    The pancreas and duodenum from behind
  • Arteries and veins around the pancreas and spleen
    Arteries and veins around the pancreas and spleen

See also

References

External links