THE CAT 225 



The cceliac artery is a large median artery which leaves the 

 aorta about two inches behind the diaphragm. It soon divides into 

 three main branches: the hepatic artery, which carries arterial 

 blood to the liver and also sends branches to the duodenum, the 

 stomach, and the pancreas; the gastrica sinistra artery, which 

 goes to the stomach; and the splenic artery, which goes to the 

 spleen and the pancreas. 



The superior mesenteric, or anterior mesenteric, artery is also a 

 large median artery, which leaves the aorta a short distance behind 

 the cceliac and takes blood to both small and large intestines and 

 to the pancreas. Numerous branches go from it to these organs, 

 which lie in the mesentery alongside the branches of the superior 

 mesenteric vein. Near the base of this artery are two ganglia and 

 a network of nerves, parts of the solar plexus. 



The adrenolumbar arteries are a pair of vessels that pass to 

 the muscles of the back ; they usually give off the phrenic arteries, 

 which pass forward to the diaphragm. 



The renal arteries are a pair of vessels that supply the kidneys 

 and suprarenal bodies with blood. 



The spermatic arteries (in the male) and the ovarian arteries 

 (in the female) leave the aorta behind the kidneys and go to the 

 genital organs. In the male each forms part of the spermatic cord. 



The inferior mesenteric, or posterior mesenteric, artery is a small 

 median vessel that supplies the large intestine. 



The iliolumbar arteries are a pair of vessels which leave the 

 aorta a short distance back of the inferior mesenteric and go to 

 the muscles of the back. 



The lumbar arteries are small paired vessels which pass from 

 the dorsal surface of the aorta to the muscles of the back. Seven 

 pairs are usually present, and they are found from the diaphragm 

 to the external iliacs. 



The external iliac arteries are large paired vessels which, with 

 their branches, supply the hind legs. Each external iliac gives 

 off, just before it leaves the abdominal cavity, the deep femoral 

 artery, which goes to the muscles of the thigh. A short distance 

 from its beginning this artery sends out three branches, one of 

 which, the epigastric artery, passes forward and anastomoses with 



