Superior mesenteric artery

Anatomy

Course
An anterior branch of the abdominal aorta that arises at approximately the vertebral level of L1. It descends into the abdomen, passing in front of the left renal vein and the inferior duodenum and passing behind the neck of the pancreas and the splenic vein. It also crosses in front of the uncinate process of the pancreas. It then gives off a number of branches which travel through the mesentery.

Supply

Responsible for supplying blood to the region known as the embryonic midgut. This means it supplies blood to the gastrointestinal tract that runs from the descending duodenum to the end of the transverse colon.

Clinical

Can often compress the structures it passes in front of. An example of this is superior mesenteric artery syndrome, in which the descending duodenum becomes compressed between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery. This results in partial or total occlusion of the duodenum. Symptoms include epigastric pain, vomiting, nausea, early satiety during meals and discomfort following eating.

Interested in taking our award-winning Pocket Anatomy app for a test drive?