Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Multimodality Diagnosis of Mesenteric Ischemia
Published on: July 21, 2023
Blood flow responses in celiac and superior mesenteric arteries in the initial phase of digestion
Nami Someya1, Masako Yamaoka Endo, Yoshiyuki Fukuba
1Institute of Health Science, Kyushu University, Kasuga, Fukuoka, Japan.
Abstract:
Blood flow (BF) responses in the celiac artery (CA) and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) during and immediately after a meal are poorly understood. We characterized postprandial BF responses in these arteries in the initial phase of digestion. After a baseline measurement in the overnight fasting state, healthy subjects ingested solid food (300 kcal) and water ad libitum within 5 min (4.6 +/- 0.2 min, means +/- SE), and then rested for 60 min in the postprandial state. Mean blood velocities (MBVs) in CA (n = 7) and SMA (n = 9) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured throughout the procedure. The MAP was divided by the MBV to yield the resistance index (RI). The MBV in CA and SMA started increasing within a minute after beginning the meal. The MBV in CA rapidly reached its peak increase (60 +/- 8% change from baseline) at 5 +/- 1 min after the start of the meal, whereas the MBV in SMA gradually reached its peak increase (134 +/- 14%) at 41 +/- 4 min after the start of the meal, reflecting a decrease in the RI for both CA and SMA. These findings suggested an earlier increase in CA and SMA MBV, implying that the increase of BF in some parts of the small intestine precedes the arrival of chyme.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Blood Supply to the Digestive System
Blood Supply to the Digestive System: The splanchnic circulation involves three main arteries: the celiac artery (also known as the celiac trunk) and the superior and inferior mesenteric...
Intestinal Phase of Digestion
The arrival of the chyme in the small intestine distends the duodenum, which triggers the enterogastric reflex. This distension...
Cephalic Phase of Digestion
Neural Regulation
Abdominal Aorta
The celiac trunk, a singular artery, divides into the left gastric artery, which...
Gastric Phase of Digestion
When food enters the stomach, it stretches the stomach walls and activates stretch receptors. This triggers local reflexes of the enteric nervous system, mediated through the myenteric plexus. These...

