Superior mesenteric artery

In human anatomy, the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) is an artery which arises from the anterior surface of the abdominal aorta, just inferior to the origin of the celiac trunk, and supplies blood to the intestine from the lower part of the duodenum through two-thirds of the transverse colon, as well as the pancreas.

Superior mesenteric artery

Vitelline arteries

Abdominal aorta

Inferior pancreaticoduodenal
middle colic
right colic
intestinal branches (jejunal, ileal)
ileocolic Marginal artery of the colon

Superior mesenteric vein

Intestine

arteria mesenterica superior

Structure[edit]

Origin[edit]

In the adult, the SMA arises anterior to inferior border of vertebra L1 (transpyloric plane). It is usually 1 cm lower than the celiac trunk.

Course and relations[edit]

It initially travels in an anterior/inferior direction, passing behind/under the neck of the pancreas and the splenic vein. Located under this portion of the superior mesenteric artery, between it and the aorta, are the following:

Compared to other vessels of similar size, the SMA is largely spared from the effects of . This may be due to protective haemodynamic conditions.

atherosclerosis

Acute occlusion of the SMA almost invariably leads to and often has devastating consequences, with up to 80% of SMA occlusions leading to death.^[2]

intestinal ischemia

The SMA can compress the left , leading to nutcracker syndrome; and/or the third (horizontal) part of the duodenum, leading to superior mesenteric artery syndrome.

renal vein

Animated Volume rendered CT scan of abdominal and pelvic blood vessels.

Superior mesenteric artery

Dissection showing the anatomical relationship between the superior mesenteric artery and surrounding structures

at Human Anatomy Online, SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Branches of the inferior mesenteric artery."

Anatomy figure: 39:02-01

at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Posterior Abdominal Wall: Branches of the Abdominal Aorta"

Anatomy photo:40:11-0102

at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center

Anatomy image:8008

at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center

Anatomy image:8404

at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center

Anatomy image:8815

at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center

Anatomy image:8841

at the University of Michigan Health System - "Posterior Abdominal Wall, Dissection, Anterior View"

Atlas image: abdo_wall70

at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University)

Superior mesenteric artery