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Superior mesenteric artery

Superior mesenteric artery
Superior mesenteric a.gif
Frontal view of the superior mesenteric artery and its branches. The large vessel (blue) beside the SMA is the superior mesenteric vein. A considerable number of different branching patterns exist.
3D rendered CT of abdominal aortic branches and kidneys.svg
3D-rendered computed tomography of abdominal aortic branches, showing exit of superior mesenteric artery between the kidneys.
Details
Precursor vitelline arteries
Source abdominal aorta
Branches inferior pancreaticoduodenal
middle colic
right colic
intestinal branches (jejunal, ileal)
ileocolic
Vein superior mesenteric vein
Supplies intestine
Identifiers
Latin arteria mesenterica superior
MeSH A07.231.114.565.755
Dorlands
/Elsevier
a_61/12155072
TA A12.2.12.053
FMA 14749
Anatomical terminology
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In human anatomy, the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) arises from the anterior surface of the abdominal aorta, just inferior to the origin of the celiac trunk, and supplies the intestine from the lower part of the duodenum through two-thirds of the transverse colon, as well as the pancreas.

It arises anterior to lower border of vertebra L1 in an adult. It is usually 1 cm lower than the celiac trunk. It initially travels in an anterior/inferior direction, passing behind/under the neck of the pancreas and the splenic vein. Located under this portion of the superior mesenteric artery, between it and the aorta, are the following:

The SMA typically runs to the left of the similarly named vein, the superior mesenteric vein. After passing the neck of the pancreas it starts giving off its branches.

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 artery.

Superior mesenteric artery

Abdominal cavity.Superior mesenteric artery.Deep dissection.


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