THE INFERIOR MESENTERIC ARTERY. 



431 



Ing colon. It divides into two branches, and forms a series of arches 

 in the same way as tlie colic vessels of the opposite side. One of 



Fi- 279, 



r~x 



Fig. 279. — The Inferior Mesenteric Artery with its 

 KicATioNS (from Tiedeiuaun). g 



DISTRIBUTION AND COMIITT- 



The small intestines witli the superior mesenteric artery are turned towards the right 

 side, the jmncreas is exposed, and the large intestine is stretched out : a, h, the duodenum ; 

 c, the commencement of the jejunum ; d, the small intestine ; c, the ascending colon ; /, 

 the transverse colon ; ff, the descending colon ; 7i, the sigmoid flexure ; i, the commence- 

 ment of the rectum ; k, the pancreas ; 1, placed on the trunk of the abdominal aorta at 

 the origin of the renal arteries ; 1', on the same at the origin of the inferior mesenteric ; 

 1", near the division into common iliac arteries ; 2, inferior mesenteric, giving off the 

 left colic ; 3, ascending branch of the left colic ; 4, branches to the descending colon ; 5, 

 the sigmoid iDranch ; 6, the superior hcemoiThoidal branch ; 7, the trunk of the superior 

 mesenteric issuing from behind the pancreas ; S, some of its intestinal branches ; 9, the 

 middle colic arteiy ; 10, its left branch forming a loop of communication ^\ith the left 

 colic ; 11 J its right branch ; 12, the spermatic arteries. 



