The posterior gastric and superior polar arteries in human fetuses

In 67 human fetuses 127-285 mm of crown-rump length (15 to 28 weeks of fetal age), the variability of the posterior gastric artery (PGA) and superior polar artery (SPA) was investigated. The vascular bed was injected with colored acrylic emulsion, and diaphanisation in methyl salicylate, taken from tissue blocks. The arteries were found in 62 fetuses (92.5%). In 40 cases (59.7%) only PGA, in 17 cases (25.3%) only SPA, and in 5 cases (7.5%) both arteries were observed. They usually originated from the pancreatic portion of the lienal artery or rarely from its terminal branches. PGA supplied part of the posterior wall of the stomach and in 4.5% it supplied also the posterior wall of the abdominal portion of the esophagus. SPA supplied the superior end of the spleen and through 1-3 branches it supplied the posterior wall of the fundus of the stomach.