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SUPERIOR MESENTERIC ARTERY. 



mediately below that vessel, and behind the pancreas. It passes. for- 

 wards between the pancreas and transverse duodenum, and descends 

 within the layers of the mesentery, to the right iliac fossa, where it 

 terminates very much diminished in size. It forms a curve in its 

 course, the convexity being directed towards the left, and the con- 

 cavity to the right. It is in relation near its commencement with 

 the portal vein ; and is accompanied by two veins, and the superior 

 mesenteric plexus of nerves. 



The branches of the superior Mesenteric Artery are 



Vasa intestini tenuis, 

 Ileo-colica, 

 Colica dextra, 

 Colica media. 



Fig. 110 * 



* The course and distribution of the superior mesenteric artery. 1. The descending 

 portion of the duodenum. 2. The transverse portion. 3. The pancreas. 4. The 

 jejunum. 5. The ileum. 6. The ctecum from which the appendix verrnifonnis is 

 seen projecting. 7. The ascending colon. 8. The transverse colon. 9. The com- 

 mencement of the descending colon. 10. The superior mesenteric artery. 11. The 

 colica media. 12. The branch which inosculates with the colica sinistra. 13. The 

 branch of the superior mesenteric artery, which inosculates with the pancreatico- 

 duodenalis. 14. The colica dextra. 15. The ileo-colica. 16, 16. The branches from 

 the convexity of the superior mesenteric to the small intestines. 



