Arteries and veins of the small intestine

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The small intestine comprises three separate segments, the duodenum, the jejunum and the ileum, each with different vasculature. The proximal half of the duodenum, which is part of the foregut, is mainly supplied by branches of the gastroduodenal artery (a terminal branch of the common hepatic artery). Tributaries draining this part of the duodenum mostly empty directly into the portal vein. 

The rest of the small intestine, which belongs to the midgut, receives its arterial supply and venous drainage from the main vessels associated with the midgut: the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and vein. It is important to note that both the arterial supply and the venous drainage of the small intestine is highly variable.

Learn about the detailed vasculature of the small intestine, as well as other important blood vessels in this region in our videos below!

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So much information! Make it stick with this quiz below:

If you want to challenge yourself even further, why not take a quiz on the neurovasculature and lymphatics of the whole abdomen, which you can customize yourself down to single terms!

Browse atlas

Explore each of the individual arteries you learned about today in the gallery below.

Once you’re all clear on the arteries, turn your attention to the veins.

Summary