26 



C. W. M. Poynter 



readily seen how the dropping out of one connection will produce a 

 certain arrangement of the adult pattern. 



The following table, arranged according to Branco, illustrates 

 the percentage frequency of the variations commonly encountered : 



While this table does not list all arrangements that have been 

 reported, it seems useful in showing that the variations from a 

 three-branched coeliac artery and separate superior mesenteric will 

 fall within 14 per cent. 



A. Gastrica Sinistra 



This artery varies in the number of its trunks, but more par- 

 ticularly in its origin. Rossi found the artery arising directly 

 from the aorta in about 5 per cent, and Eaton states the average 

 for his series as 6.7 per cent. In my series I found only two cases 

 of this condition. Vesalius and his school consider that the artery 

 is normally a branch of the splenic. This was corrected by Wins- 

 low (1832). Numerous reports have been given of this vessel 

 associated with the hepatic or an accessory hepatic. 



A. Licnalis 



This artery is the most regular of the group. It may arise from 

 the aorta independently, Quain (1844). Dubrueil (1847), Rossi 

 (1904), and Krause reports a case of Hyrtl's in which it arose 

 from the superior mesenteric. 



