Celiac trunk

Parts

Three major divisions of the gastrointestinal tract are foregut, midgut and hindgut. The foregut extends from the mouth to the major duodenal papilla (where the ampulla of Vater empties into the duodenum). The midgut extends from this point to two thirds of the way along the transverse colon. The hindgut runs from this point to the superior rectum.

Blood supply

The celiac trunk supplies the foregut, superior mesenteric artery supplies the midgut and the inferior mesenteric artery supplies the hindgut. The coeliac artery arises from the abdominal aorta as soon as it passes through the diaphragm at the level of the twelfth thoracic vertebrae. It gives off three major branches i.e. the left gastric, common hepatic and splenic.

Innervation

In the same sense, the sympathetic input to the foregut, midgut and hindgut are supplied by the greater, lesser and least thoracic splanchnic nerves respectively. The parasympathetic input to the foregut and the midgut is supplied by the vagus nerve (cranial nerve X), while it is supplied by the pelvic splanchnic nerves (S2-S4) to the hindgut.

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Left gastric artery

This is the smallest and the first branch that arises from the coeliac trunk and passes into the lesser omentum (which connects the lesser curvature of the stomach to the liver) along the lesser curvature of the stomach to supply its superior portion.

Here it anastomoses with right gastric artery. Some branches of the left gastric artery also supply the inferior part of the oesophagus.

Common hepatic artery

This branch arises from the celiac trunk and runs towards the liver and in order to enter the lesser sac. The common hepatic artery then gives off the gastroduodenal artery and continues as the hepatic artery proper above the first part of the duodenum. At this level, the hepatic artery proper gives off the right gastric artery which runs between the peritoneal layers of the lesser omentum to supply the lesser curvature of the stomach and anastomoses with the left gastric artery. The hepatic artery proper then bifurcates near the porta hepatis divides into the right and left hepatic arteries that enter the liver. These vessels then divide further into lobar arteries.

The common hepatic artery then divides into the hepatic artery proper and the gastroduodenal artery. At the porta hepatis the hepatic artery proper divides into the right and left hepatic arteries and enter the liver. These vessels then divide further into lobar arteries.

The gastroduodenal artery arises posterosuperior to the first part of duodenum, giving off the posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery and other small branches (retro-/supraduodenal arteries) before terminating as as the anterior superior pancreaticoduodenal and right gastroomental arteries, the latter of which supplies the greater curvature of the stomach. The anterior and posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal arteries supply the head of the pancreas and the anterior and posterior surfaces of the duodenum; they anastomose with their counterpart branches of the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery (first branch of the superior mesenteric artery).

Splenic artery

This is a tortuous branch that runs towards the hilum of the spleen. On the way it has a number of arteries that supply the neck, body and tail of the pancreas. It also gives off the left gastroomental artery that supplies the greater curvature of the stomach, and anastomoses with the right gastroepiploic artery.

The splenic artery also gives off the short gastric arteries before it reaches the hilum of the spleen. It runs within the gastrosplenic ligament in order to supply the fundus of the stomach as well as the superior part of the greater curvature of the stomach. It anastomoses with the left gastric artery.

Test your knowledge on the arteries of the stomach, liver, and gallbladder with this quiz.

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Mnemonic

There is an easy way to remember the branches of the splenic artery! The mnemonic ' Peter's Spleen Looks Small' stands for:

• Pancreatic a.
  
• Splenic a.
  
• Left gastroepiploic a.
  
• Short gastric a.

To summarize and have a clear picture in your mind, take a look at the following diagram illustrating the branches of the celiac trunk!

Mnemonic

Althought the celiac artery only has 3 branches, your memory can still fail you sometimes. Thankfully kenhub is here to help! Just memorise the mnemonic 'Left Hand Side' and it will help you remember the branches:

Left gastric a.
Common Hepatic a.
Splenic a.

Ready for a quick test? Check out our custom tailored quiz on the celiac artery and its branches below

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