A case of celiacomesenteric trunk in a Tanzanian man

Variation in the branching patterns of the three major arteries that supply the digestive system may occur due to different embryological mechanisms.

The present case report describes the celiac artery and the superior mesenteric artery originating from the abdominal aorta through a common trunk. The celiac artery in turn gave rise to the splenic artery and a common trunk for common hepatic and left gastric artery. The superior and inferior mesenteric arteries had normal branching patterns.

Awareness of these variations on the part of the surgical team before surgery can help avoid iatrogenic arterial injury.