Inferior mesenteric artery

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Inferior mesenteric artery
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Sigmoid colon and rectum, showing distribution of branches of inferior mesenteric artery and their anastomoses. (Inferior mesenteric artery labeled at center.)
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Abdominal part of digestive tube and its attachment to the primitive or common mesentery. Human embryo of six weeks. (Inferior mesenteric artery labeled at bottom right.)
Details
Precursor vitelline arteries
Source abdominal aorta
Branches left colic artery, sigmoid branches, superior rectal artery
Vein inferior mesenteric vein
Identifiers
Latin arteria mesenterica inferior
MeSH D017537
TA98 A12.2.12.069
TA2 4291
FMA 14750
Anatomical terminology

In human anatomy, the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) is the third main branch of the abdominal aorta and arises at the level of L3, supplying the large intestine from the distal transverse colon to the upper part of the anal canal. The regions supplied by the IMA are the descending colon, the sigmoid colon, and part of the rectum. [1]

Contents

Structure

Origin

The IMA arises from the anterior aspect of the abdominal aorta. [2] [3]

Its origin is situated at the L3 vertebral level, [2] [3] below the origins of the two renal arteries, [3] 3-4 cm above the aortic bifurcation, [3] [2] at the level of the umbilicus, and posterior to the inferior border of the horizontal (III) part of the duodenum. [2]

Branches

Along its course, the IMA has the following branches: [1] [4] [3]

Branchnotes
left colic artery supplies descending colon
sigmoid branches the most superior being described as 'the superior sigmoid artery'
superior rectal artery effectively the terminal branch of the IMA (the continuation of the IMA after all other branches)

All these arterial branches further divide into arcades which then supply the colon at regular intervals.

Relations

The IMA is accompanied along its course by a similarly named vein, the inferior mesenteric vein, which drains into the splenic vein. [1] The IMV drains to the portal vein and does therefore not fully mirror the course of the IMA.[ contradictory ] [1] [4] [3]

Distribution

Proximally, its territory of distribution overlaps (forms a watershed) with the middle colic artery, and therefore the superior mesenteric artery. The SMA and IMA anastomose via the marginal artery of the colon (artery of Drummond) and via Riolan's arcade (also called the "meandering artery", an arterial connection between the left colic artery and the middle colic artery). The territory of distribution of the IMA is more or less equivalent to the embryonic hindgut. [1] [4]

Clinical significance

The IMA and/or its branches must be resected for a left hemicolectomy. [5]

A horseshoe kidney, a common (1 in 500) anomaly of the kidneys, will be positioned below the IMA. [6] [7]

Additional images

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renal artery</span> Vessel supplying blood to kidney

The renal arteries are paired arteries that supply the kidneys with blood. Each is directed across the crus of the diaphragm, so as to form nearly a right angle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renal vein</span> Short thick veins which return blood from the kidneys to the vena cava

The renal veins in the renal circulation, are large-calibre veins that drain blood filtered by the kidneys into the inferior vena cava. There is one renal vein draining each kidney. Each renal vein is formed by the convergence of the interlobar veins of one kidney.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superior mesenteric artery</span> Artery which supplies blood to the intestines and pancreas

In human anatomy, the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) is an artery which arises from the anterior surface of the abdominal aorta, just inferior to the origin of the celiac trunk, and supplies blood to the intestine from the lower part of the duodenum through two-thirds of the transverse colon, as well as the pancreas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superior mesenteric vein</span> Vein which drains blood from the small intestine

In human anatomy, the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) is a blood vessel that drains blood from the small intestine. Behind the neck of the pancreas, the superior mesenteric vein combines with the splenic vein to form the portal vein that carries blood to the liver. The superior mesenteric vein lies to the right of the similarly named artery, the superior mesenteric artery, which originates from the abdominal aorta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">External iliac artery</span> Arteries of the pelvis

The external iliac arteries are two major arteries which bifurcate off the common iliac arteries anterior to the sacroiliac joint of the pelvis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common iliac artery</span> Artery in the abdomen

The common iliac artery is a large artery of the abdomen paired on each side. It originates from the aortic bifurcation at the level of the 4th lumbar vertebra. It ends in front of the sacroiliac joint, one on either side, and each bifurcates into the external and internal iliac arteries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sacral plexus</span> Nerve plexus

In human anatomy, the sacral plexus is a nerve plexus which provides motor and sensory nerves for the posterior thigh, most of the lower leg and foot, and part of the pelvis. It is part of the lumbosacral plexus and emerges from the lumbar vertebrae and sacral vertebrae (L4-S4). A sacral plexopathy is a disorder affecting the nerves of the sacral plexus, usually caused by trauma, nerve compression, vascular disease, or infection. Symptoms may include pain, loss of motor control, and sensory deficits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Internal iliac artery</span> Main artery of the pelvis

The internal iliac artery is the main artery of the pelvis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inferior epigastric artery</span> Blood vessel

In human anatomy, the inferior epigastric artery is an artery that arises from the external iliac artery. It is accompanied by the inferior epigastric vein; inferiorly, these two inferior epigastric vessels together travel within the lateral umbilical fold The inferior epigastric artery then traverses the arcuate line of rectus sheath to enter the rectus sheath, then anastomoses with the superior epigastric artery within the rectus sheath.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iliohypogastric nerve</span>

The iliohypogastric nerve is a nerve that originates from the lumbar plexus that supplies sensation to skin over the lateral gluteal and hypogastric regions and motor to the internal oblique muscles and transverse abdominal muscles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Obturator nerve</span>

The obturator nerve in human anatomy arises from the ventral divisions of the second, third, and fourth lumbar nerves in the lumbar plexus; the branch from the third is the largest, while that from the second is often very small.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Median sacral artery</span>

The median sacral artery is a small artery that arises posterior to the abdominal aorta and superior to its bifurcation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Middle colic artery</span> Artery supplying the colon

The middle colic artery is an artery of the abdomen; a branch of the superior mesenteric artery distributed to parts of the ascending and transverse colon. It usually divides into two terminal branches - a left one and a right one - which go on to form anastomoses with the left colic artery, and right colic artery (respectively), thus participating in the formation of the marginal artery of the colon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Left colic artery</span> Artery

The left colic artery is a branch of the inferior mesenteric artery distributed to the descending colon, and left part of the transverse colon. It ends by dividing into an ascending branch and a descending branch; the terminal branches of the two branches go on to form anastomoses with the middle colic artery, and a sigmoid artery (respectively).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ileocolic artery</span> Artery in the abdomen

The ileocolic artery is the lowest branch arising from the concavity of the superior mesenteric artery. It supplies the cecum, ileum, and appendix.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lumbar arteries</span> Arteries within the lower back

The lumbar arteries are arteries located in the lower back or lumbar region. The lumbar arteries are in parallel with the intercostals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superior hypogastric plexus</span>

The superior hypogastric plexus is a plexus of nerves situated on the vertebral bodies anterior to the bifurcation of the abdominal aorta. It bifurcates to form the left and the right hypogastric nerve. The SHP is the continuation of the abdominal aortic plexus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Subcostal nerve</span>

The subcostal nerve is a mixed motor and sensory nerve contributing to the lumbar plexus. It runs along the lower border of the twelfth rib, often gives a communicating branch to the first lumbar nerve, and passes under the lateral lumbocostal arch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outline of human anatomy</span> Overview of and topical guide to human anatomy

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to human anatomy:

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Standring, Susan (2016). Gray's anatomy : the anatomical basis of clinical practice (41st ed.). Philadelphia: Elsevier Limited. ISBN   9780702052309. OCLC   920806541.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Sinnatamby, Chummy (2011). Last's Anatomy (12th ed.). p. 246. ISBN   978-0-7295-3752-0.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Drake, Richard L.; Vogl, Wayne; Mitchell, Adam W. M.; Gray, Henry (15 November 2015). Gray's anatomy for students (3rd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier. ISBN   9780702051319. OCLC   881508489.
  4. 1 2 3 Moore, Keith L.; Dalley, Arthur F., II; Agur, A. M. R. (13 February 2013). Clinically oriented anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN   978-1451119459. OCLC   813301028.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. Charan, Ishwar; Kapoor, Akhil; Singhal, Mukesh Kumar; Jagawat, Namrata; Bhavsar, Deepak; Jain, Vikas; Kumar, Vanita; Kumar, Harvindra Singh (December 2015). "High Ligation of Inferior Mesenteric Artery in Left Colonic and Rectal Cancers: Lymph Node Yield and Survival Benefit". The Indian Journal of Surgery. 77 (Suppl 3): 1103–1108. doi:10.1007/s12262-014-1179-2. ISSN   0972-2068. PMC   4775673 . PMID   27011519.
  6. Schiappacasse, G; Aguirre, J; Soffia, P; Silva, C S; Zilleruelo, N (January 2015). "CT findings of the main pathological conditions associated with horseshoe kidneys". The British Journal of Radiology. 88 (1045). doi:10.1259/bjr.20140456. ISSN   0007-1285. PMC   4277381 . PMID   25375751.
  7. "Clinical case: Horseshoe kidney transplantation". Kenhub. Retrieved 2019-09-28.