THE SUPERIOR MESEXTERIC ARTERY. 



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tery join : the artery will then be exposed just as it issues from beneath the lower border of the 

 pancreas. 



The Superior Mesenteric Artery supplies the whole length of the small intestine, 

 except the first part of the duodenum ; it also supplies the caecum, ascending 

 and transverse colon ; it is a vessel of large size, arising from the fore part of the 

 aorta about a quarter of an inch below the coeliac axis : being covered at its origin 

 bv the splenic vein and pancreas. It passes forward, between the pancreas and 

 transverse portion of the duodenum, crosses in front of this portion of the intes- 



FIG. 370. The superior mesenteric artery and its branches. 



tine, and descends between the layers of the mesentery to the right iliac fossa, 

 where it terminates, considerably diminished in size. In its course it forms an 

 arch, the convexity of which is directed forward and downward to the left side, 

 the concavity backward and upward to the right. It is accompanied by the 

 superior mesenteric vein, and is surrounded by a superior mesenteric plexus of 

 nerves. Its branches are the 



Inferior Pancreatico-duodenal. Heo-colic. 



Vasa Intestini Tenuis. Colica Dextra. 



Colica Media. 



The Inferior pancreatico-duodenal is given off from the superior mesenteric 

 behind the pancreas, and is distributed to the head of the pancreas with the 



