THE SUPERIOR MESENTERIC ARTERY. 553 



The gastro-epiploica dextra runs from right to left along the greater curvature 

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

 middle of the lower border of the stomach 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, Avhilst others descend to supply the great 

 omentum. 



The pancreatico-duodenalis superior descends between the contiguous margins 

 of the duodenum and pancreas. It supplies both these organs, and anastomoses 

 with the inferior pancreatico-duodenal branch of the superior mesenteric artery 

 and with the pancreatic branches of the splenic. 



The cystic artery (Fig. 308), usually a branch of the right hepatic, passes 

 upward and forward 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 Artery, in the adult, is the largest of the three branches of the 

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

 horizontally to the left side, behind the peritoneum and along 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 hilum of that organ 

 to be distributed to its structure, whilst others are distributed to the pancreas and 

 great end of the stomach. Its branches are the 



Pancreaticse Parvre. Gastric (Vasa Brevia). 



Pancreatica Magna. Gastro-epiploica Sinistra. 



The pancreatic 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, derived from the hepatic on the one hand and superior mesenteric 

 on the other. 



The gastric (vasa brevia) consists 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. 



The Superior Mesenteric Artery (Fig. 310). 



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

 small intestines, and cut through the peritoneum where the transverse meso-colon and mesen- 

 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 

 by 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- 

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

 where, considerably diminished in size, it anastomoses with one of its own branches 

 viz., ileo-colic. In its course it forms an arch, the convexity of which is directed 



