Left colic artery | |
---|---|
![]() The
inferior mesenteric artery and its branches. (Left colic visible at center right.) | |
![]()
Sigmoid colon and
rectum, showing distribution of branches of
inferior mesenteric artery and their anastomoses. (Left colic visible at center left.) | |
Details | |
Source | Inferior mesenteric |
Vein | Left colic vein |
Supplies | Descending colon |
Identifiers | |
Latin | arteria colica sinistra |
TA98 | A12.2.12.071 |
TA2 | 4292 |
FMA | 14826 |
Anatomical terminology |
The left colic artery is a branch of the inferior mesenteric artery distributed to the descending colon, and left part of the transverse colon. It ends by dividing into an ascending branch and a descending branch; [1] the terminal branches of the two branches go on to form anastomoses with the middle colic artery, and a sigmoid artery (respectively). [2]: 1196
The left colic artery usually represents the dominant arterial supply to the left colic flexure. [2]: 1196
The left colic artery passes to the left posterior to the peritoneum. After a short but variable course, it divides into an ascending branch and a descending branch. [1]
The ascending branch passes superior-ward. It passes anterior to the (ipsilateral) psoas major muscle, gonadal vessels, ureter, and kidney; it passes posterior to the inferior mesenteric vein. Its terminal branches form anastomoses with those of the middle colic artery; it also forms anastomoses with the descending branch (of the left colic artery). [2]: 1196
The descending branch passes inferolaterally. [2]: 1196 It forms anastomoses with the superior-most sigmoid artery [1] as well as the ascending branch (of the left colic artery), thereby participating in the formation of the marginal artery of the colon. [2]: 1196
The left colic artery may have a common origin with a sigmoid artery, or may arise by branching of from a sigmoid artery. Occasionally, the left colic artery may arise from either the superior mesenteric artery, the middle colic artery, or the proximal-most jejunal artery; rarely, an accessory left colic artery may arise from the aforementioned arteries. An accessory left colic artery may also arise from the left colic artery itself. [2]: 1196
The left colic artery may be ligated during abdominal surgery to remove colorectal cancer. [3] This may have poorer outcomes than preserving the artery. [3]
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