Vessel
Celiac trunk
Short aortic branch feeding the upper digestive arterial network
High-yield
Think of three routes: toward the lesser curvature, toward the spleen and pancreas, and toward the liver and proximal duodenum.
Overview
The celiac trunk usually arises just below the diaphragm and gives left gastric, splenic and common hepatic branches. This network supplies foregut organs and the spleen, which shares their arterial territory despite its different embryological origin.
Reference facts
- Origin
- Usually the anterior abdominal aorta near T12–L1.
- Course
- A short anterior trunk beneath the diaphragm; the order and pattern of division vary.
- Branches
- Typically left gastric, splenic and common hepatic arteries.
- Supplies
- Supplies abdominal esophagus, stomach, proximal duodenum, liver, gallbladder, much of the pancreas and spleen through its branches.
Mnemonic
Gastric to stomach, splenic to spleen, hepatic toward liver.
Clinical correlation
The median arcuate ligament may compress the celiac origin. Anatomical compression can be incidental; the symptomatic syndrome requires clinical assessment rather than the vascular appearance alone.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the celiac trunk originate?
Usually the anterior abdominal aorta near T12–L1.
What does the celiac trunk supply?
Supplies abdominal esophagus, stomach, proximal duodenum, liver, gallbladder, much of the pancreas and spleen through its branches.
What are the branches of the celiac trunk?
Typically left gastric, splenic and common hepatic arteries.
What is the course of the celiac trunk?
A short anterior trunk beneath the diaphragm; the order and pattern of division vary.