THE VISCERAL BRANCHES 



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{cc) The left gastro-epiploic artery (a. gastroepipioica sinistra) arises close to the termination 

 of the splenic and passes between the layers of the gastro-splenic omentum to the greater curvature 

 of the stomach, along which it runs between the layers of the greater omentum, and terminates by 

 inosculating with the right gastro-epiploic branch of the hepatic artery. Throughout its course it 

 gives off numerous branches which pass, on the one hand, upward upon J30th surfaces of the 

 stomach to anastomose with branches of the gastric artery, and, on the other hand, downward 

 into the greater omentum. 



Variations. — The splenic is remarkably constant in its course and branches. It may arise 

 directh" from the aorta, and it has been observed to give off the gastric artery, a large branch 

 to the left lobe of the liver, and the middle colic artery. 



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2. The Superior Mesenteric Artery. — The superior mesenteric artery 

 (a. mesenterica superior) (Figs. 721, 722) arises from the anterior surface of the 

 abdominal aorta, about 1.5 cm. below the coeliac axis. It lies at first behind the 

 pancreas, but, passing downward and forward, it emerges between that organ and 

 the upper border of the third portion of the duodenum and enters the mesentery. 



Fig. 722. 



Transverse colon 



Pancreas 

 Superior mesenteric 



artery 



Middle colic artery 



Duodenum 



Rig^ht colic artery 

 Ascending colon 



Ileo-colic artery 



Anterior superior 

 spine of ilium—— 



Branches to 



small intestine 



Caecum 



Posterior surface 

 of stomach 



Left colic artery 

 Duodenum 



Crest of ilium 



Branches to small 

 intestine 



Anterior superior 

 spine of ilium 



Part of jejunum 



Parts of ileum 



Superior mesenteric artery and its branches ; transverse colon and 

 stomach have been drawn upward. 



It passes downward between the two layers of the mesentery, gradually curving 

 towards the right, and terminates near the junction of the ileum with the caecum by 

 anastomosing with its own ileo-colic branch. 



Branches.— The superior mesenteric arter>' supplies the whole length of the small intestine, 

 with the exception of the upper part of the duodenutn, and also a considerable portion of the 

 large intestine, including the caecum and appendix, the ascending colon, and about half t\ie 



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