Superior mesenteric artery

Superior mesenteric artery
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 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 [edit on Wikidata]

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.

Structure

It arises anterior to lower border of vertebra L1 in an adult. It is usually 1cm 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:

• left renal vein - travels between the left kidney and the inferior vena cava (can be compressed between the SMA and the abdominal aorta at this location, leading to nutcracker syndrome).
• the third part of the duodenum, a segment of the small intestines (can be compressed by the SMA at this location, leading to superior mesenteric artery syndrome).
• uncinate process of pancreas - this is a small part of the pancreas that hooks around the SMA.

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.

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.

Clinical relevance

• Compared to other vessels of similar size, the SMA is largely spared from the effects of atherosclerosis. This may be due to protective haemodynamic conditions.
• Acute occlusion of the SMA almost invariably leads to intestinal ischemia and often has devastating consequences, with up to 80% of SMA occlusions leading to death.^[1]
• The SMA can compress the left renal vein, leading to nutcracker syndrome; and/or the third (horizontal) part of the duodenum, leading to superior mesenteric artery syndrome.

Additional images

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  The pancreas and duodenum from behind. (Superior mesenteric artery labeled at upper right.)

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  The celiac artery and its branches; the stomach has been raised and the peritoneum removed.

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  Abdominal part of digestive tube and its attachment to the primitive or common mesentery. Human embryo of six weeks.

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  Posterior abdominal wall, after removal of the peritoneum, showing kidneys, suprarenal capsules, and great vessels.

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  The anterior surfaces of the kidneys, showing the areas of contact of neighboring viscera.

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  Front of abdomen, showing surface markings for arteries and inguinal canal.

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  Arteries and veins around the pancreas and spleen viewed dorsally.

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  Colonic blood supply Hussam

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  Superior mesenteric artery

• 

  Abdominal cavity.Superior mesenteric artery.Deep dissection.

References

External links

• Anatomy figure: 39:02-01 at Human Anatomy Online, SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Branches of the inferior mesenteric artery."
• Anatomy photo:40:11-0102 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Posterior Abdominal Wall: Branches of the Abdominal Aorta"
• Anatomy image:8008 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center
• Anatomy image:8404 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center
• Anatomy image:8815 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center
• Anatomy image:8841 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center
• Atlas image: abdo_wall70 at the University of Michigan Health System - "Posterior Abdominal Wall, Dissection, Anterior View"
• sup&infmesentericart at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University)