SPLENIC ARTERY. BRANCHES. 335 



The Pyloric branch given off from the hepatic near the pylorus, is 

 distributed to the commencement of the duodenum and to the lesser 

 curve of the stomach, where it inosculates with the gastric artery. 



The Gastro-dttodenalis artery is a short but large trunk, which 

 descends behind the pylorus, and divides into two branches, the 

 gastro-epiploica dextra, and pancreatico-duodenalis. Previously to its 

 division, it gives off some inferior pyloric branches to the small end of 

 the stomach. 



The Gastro-epiploica dextra runs along the great curve of the 

 stomach lying between the two layers of the great omentum, and 

 inosculates at about its middle with the gastro-epiploica sinistra, a 

 branch of the splenic artery. It supplies the great curve of the sto- 

 mach and the great omentum ; hence the derivation of its name. 



The Pancreatico-duodenalis curves along the fixed border of the 

 duodenum, partly concealed by the attachment of the pancreas, and is 

 distributed to the pancreas and duodenum. Tt inosculates inferiorly 

 with the first jejunal, and with the pancreatic branches of the superior 

 mesenteric artery. 



The Cystic artery, generally a branch of the right hepatic, is of 

 small size, and ramifies between the coats of the gall bladder, pre- 

 viously to its distribution to the mucous membrane. 



The SPLENIC ARTERY, the largest of the three branches of the 

 coeliac axis, passes horizontally to the left along the upper border of 

 the pancreas, and divides into five or six large branches which enter 

 the hilus of the spleen and are distributed to its structure. In its 

 course it is tortuous and serpentine, and frequently makes a complete 

 turn upon itself. It lies in a narrow groove in the upper border of the 

 pancreas, and is accompanied by the splenic vein, and by the splenic 

 plexus of nerves. 



The Branches of the splenic artery are the 



Pancreaticae parvae, 

 Pancreatica magna, 

 Vasa brevia, 

 Gastro-epiploica sinistra. 



The Pancreaticas parvte are numerous small branches distributed to 

 the pancreas, as the splenic artery runs along its upper border. One 

 of these, larger than the rest, follows the course of the pancreatic duct, 

 and is called pancreatica magna. 



The Vasa brevia are five or six branches of small size which pass 

 from the extremity of the splenic artery and its terminal branches, 

 between the layers of the gastro-splenic omentum, to the great end of 

 the stomach, to which they are distributed, inosculating with branches 

 of the gastric artery and gastro-epiploica sinistra. 



The Gastro-epiploica sinistra appears to be the continuation of the 

 splenic artery ; it passes forwards from left to right, along the great 



