| Superior mesenteric artery | |
| Latin: | arteria mesenterica superior |
| Branchfrom: | Abdominal aorta |
| Branchto: | Inferior pancreaticoduodenal middle colic right colic intestinal branches (jejunal, ileal) ileocolic Marginal artery of the colon |
| Vein: | Superior mesenteric vein |
| Precursor: | Vitelline arteries |
| Supplies: | Intestine |
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.
In the adult, the SMA arises anterior to inferior border of vertebra L1 (transpyloric plane). It is usually 1 cm lower than the celiac trunk.
It initially travels in an anterior/inferior direction, passing behind/under the neck of the pancreas and the splenic vein. Located under this portion of the superior mesenteric artery, between it and the aorta, are the following:
The SMA typically runs to the left of its associated vein, the superior mesenteric vein. After passing the neck of the pancreas it starts giving off its branches.
| Branch | Supplies |
|---|---|
| head of the pancreas and to the ascending and inferior parts of the duodenum (proximal loop) | |
| branches to ileum, branches to jejunum (proximal loop) | |
| ileocolic artery | supplies last part of ileum, cecum, and appendix (distal loop) |
| to ascending colon (distal loop) | |
| to the transverse colon (distal loop) | |
The number of arterial arcades in the ileum is more than the number of arcades in the jejunum. [1]
The middle, right, and ileocecal branches anastomose with each other to form a marginal artery along the inner border of the colon. This artery is completed by branches of the left colic which is a branch of the inferior mesenteric artery.