SUPERIOR MESENTERIC. 423 



of the stomach, between the layers of the great omentum, anastomosing about the 

 middle of the lower border of this organ with the gastro-epiploica sinistra from 

 the splenic artery. This vessel gives off numerous branches, some of which 

 ascend to supply both surfaces of the stomach, whilst others descend to supply 

 the great omenturn. 



The pancreatico-duodenalis descends along the contiguous margins of the duode- 

 num and pancreas. It supplies both these organs, and anastomoses with the 

 inferior pancreatico-duodenal branch of the superior mesenteric artery. 



In ulceration of the duodenum, which frequently occurs in connection with 

 severe burns, this artery is often involved, and death may occur from hemorrhage 

 into the intestinal canal. 



The cystic artery, usually a branch of the right hepatic, passes upwards and 

 forwards along the neck of the gall-bladder, and divides into two branches, one 

 of which ramifies on its free surface, the other between it and the substance of 

 the liver. 



The SPLENIC ARTEKY, in the adult, is the largest of the three branches of the 

 cceliac axis, and is remarkable for the extreme tortuosity of its course. It passes 

 horizontally to the left side behind the upper border of the pancreas, accompanied 

 by the splenic vein, which lies below it ; and, on arriving near the spleen, divides 

 into branches, some of which enter the hilus of that organ to be distributed to 

 its structure, whilst others are distributed to the great end of the stomach. 



The branches of this vessel are the 



Pancreaticae parvae. Gastric (Yasa brevia). 



Pancreatica magna. Gastro-epiploica sinistra. 



The pancreaticse are numerous small branches derived from the splenic as it runs 

 behind the upper border of the pancreas, supplying its middle and left parts. 

 One of these, larger than the rest, is given off from the splenic near the left 

 extremity of the pancreas ; it runs from left to right near the posterior surface of 

 the gland, following the course of the pancreatic duct, and is called the pancreatica 

 magna. These vessels anastomose with the pancreatic branches of the pancreatico- 

 duodenal arteries. 



The gastric (yasa brevia) consist of from five to seven small branches, which 

 arise either from the termination of the splenic artery, or from its terminal 

 branches ; and passing from left to right, between the layers of the gastro-splenic 

 omentum, are distributed to the great curvature of the stomach ; anastomosing 

 with branches of the gastric and gastro-epiploica sinistra arteries. 



The gastro-epiploica sinistra, the largest branch of the splenic, runs from left 

 to right along the great curvature of the stomach, between the layers of the great 

 omentum, and anastomoses with the gastro-epiploica dextra. In its course, it 

 distributes several branches to the stomach, which ascend upon both surfaces; 

 others descend to supply the omentum. 



SUPERIOR MESENTERIC ARTERY. 



In order to expose this vessel, raise the groat omentum and transverse colon, draw down the 

 small intestines, and, if the peritoneum is divided where the transverse meso-colou and mesentery 

 join, this artery will be exposed just as it issues beneath the lower border of the pancreas. 



The SUPERIOR MESENTERIC ARTERY (fig. 225) supplies the whole length of the 

 small intestine, except the first part of the duodenum ; it also supplies the caacum, 

 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 cceliac axis ; being covered, 

 at its origin, by the splenic vein and pancreas. It passes forwards, between the 

 pancreas and transverse portion of the duodenum, crosses in front of this portion 

 of the intestine, 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 being directed forwards and downwards to the left 

 side, the concavity backwards and upwards to the right. It is accompanied by 



