Splenic Artery
The structure indicated is the splenic artery.
The splenic artery is one of three branches of the celiac trunk, which is the first anterior branch that arises from the abdominal aorta. The abdominal aorta consists of anterior, posterior, and lateral branches. There are three anterior branches which supply the foregut, midgut and hindgut structures these are as follows:
- Celiac trunk – supplies foregut
- Superior mesenteric artery – supplies midgut
- Inferior mesenteric artery – supplies hindgut
The celiac trunk arises from the abdominal aorta at the level of the upper part of the first lumbar vertebra. It gives rises to three branches:
- Common hepatic artery
- Left gastric artery
- Splenic artery
The splenic artery supplies blood to the spleen, the pancreas and has branches which supply the stomach. The splenic artery gives rise to the following branches:
- Pancreatic branches
- Short gastric arteries
- Left gastro-omental (left gastroepiploic) artery
- Posterior gastric arteries
Learn all about the branches of the celiac trunk in this anatomy tutorial.
