Anomalous origins of colic arteries
H S Amonoo-Kuofi1, M G el-Badawi, M E el-Naggar
1Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine & KKUH, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Anatomical variations in the celiac trunk and mesenteric arteries were observed in cadavers. These vascular anomalies highlight the need for pre-surgical imaging to prevent potential colon damage.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Vascular Anatomy
- Surgical Anatomy
Background:
- The celiac trunk and superior and inferior mesenteric arteries are crucial for abdominal organ vascularization.
- Understanding their normal and variant anatomy is essential for surgical planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document variations in the topography of the celiac trunk and mesenteric arteries.
- To identify and describe anomalous vascular patterns and their potential clinical implications.
Main Methods:
- Dissection of 27 embalmed cadavers.
- Detailed examination of the celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery (SMA), and inferior mesenteric artery (IMA).
Main Results:
- Four subjects exhibited variant vascular patterns.
- Observed variations included an accessory right hepatic artery from the SMA, an anomalous middle colic artery from the splenic artery, and accessory left colic arteries from the SMA.
- The anomalous middle colic artery's course and its dominance in marginal artery formation were noted as potential risks for colon vascular damage.
Conclusions:
- Variant patterns of the marginal artery were observed.
- These arterial variations emphasize the critical importance of pre-operative vascular assessments before major abdominal surgeries to mitigate risks.
Abstract:
The topography of the celiac trunk and superior and inferior mesenteric arteries was studied by dissection in 27 embalmed cadavers. Variant vascular patterns were noted in four subjects. These consisted of: (1) an accessory right hepatic artery from the superior mesenteric artery, (2) an anomalous middle colic artery from the proximal segment of the splenic artery, and (3) two instances of an accessory left colic artery originating from the superior mesenteric artery. The precarious course of the middle colic artery (coming from the splenic artery) and its dominance in the formation of the marginal artery were thought to predispose the ascending and transverse colon to an increased risk of vascular damage. These cases also illustrate two variant patterns of formation of the marginal artery. In the case of the anomalous middle colic artery, the only contribution of the superior mesenteric artery to the marginal artery was through the anastomosis of its ileocolic branch with the right branch of the aberrant middle colic artery. In subjects with accessory left colic arteries, the superior mesenteric artery played a dominant role in the formation of the marginal artery by contributing the accessory left colic artery, which supplied the splenic flexure and the proximal part of the descending colon. These arterial variations underscore the importance of doing vascular studies prior to major abdominal surgery.
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