Vessel
Splenic artery
Usually tortuous artery following the upper pancreatic border
High-yield
Its usual pancreatic-border course is tortuous, unlike the straighter neighboring splenic vein. Important branches include short gastric and left gastro-omental arteries.
Overview
The splenic artery courses leftward from the celiac trunk toward the spleen. Before reaching the hilum through the splenorenal ligament, it gives branches to the pancreas and the stomach's fundal and greater-curvature regions.
Reference facts
- Origin
- Usually one of the larger branches of the celiac trunk.
- Course
- Runs toward the left along the superior pancreatic region and reaches the spleen in the splenorenal ligament.
- Branches
- Gives pancreatic, short gastric, left gastro-omental and terminal splenic branches; individual pancreatic origins vary.
- Supplies
- Supplies spleen, pancreatic body/tail and portions of gastric fundus and greater curvature.
- Drains to
- Associated venous return largely enters the splenic vein and then the portal venous system.
Clinical correlation
Splenic artery aneurysms can rupture, with pregnancy an important risk context. Pancreatic inflammation can also damage the arterial wall and produce a pseudoaneurysm, a different lesion from a true aneurysm.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the splenic artery originate?
Usually one of the larger branches of the celiac trunk.
What does the splenic artery supply?
Supplies spleen, pancreatic body/tail and portions of gastric fundus and greater curvature.
Where does the splenic artery drain to?
The splenic artery drains to the associated venous return largely enters the splenic vein and then the portal venous system.
What are the branches of the splenic artery?
Gives pancreatic, short gastric, left gastro-omental and terminal splenic branches; individual pancreatic origins vary.