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INFERIOR MESEXTERIC ARTERY. 



The INFERIOR MESENTERIC ARTERY, smaller than the superior, 

 arises from the abdominal aorta, about two inches below the origin 

 of that vessel, and descends between the layers of the left mesocolon, 

 to the left iliac fossa, where it divides into three branches: 



Colica sinistra, superior, 



Sigmoidese, or colica sinistra media and inferior. 



Superior hsemorrhoidal. 



The Colica sinistra is distributed to the descending colon, and 

 ascends to inosculate with the colica media. This is the largest 

 arterial inosculation in the body. 



Fig. Ill* 



* The distribution arid branches of the inferior mcsenteric artery. 1, I. The supe- 

 rior artery with its branches and the small intestines turned over to the right side. 2. 

 The caecum and appendix cajci. 3. The ascending- colon. 4. The transverse colon 

 raised upwards. 5. The descending colon. 6. Its sigmoid flexure. 7. The rectum. 

 8. The aorta. 9. The inferior mesenteric artery. 10. The colica sinistra, inosculating 

 with 11. The colica media, a branch of the superior mesenteric artery. 12, 12. Si-- 

 moid branches. 13. The superior ha;morrhoidal artery. 14. The pancreas. 15. The 

 descending portion of the duodenum. 



