Vessel
Superior mesenteric artery
Artery of the midgut
High-yield
Supplies midgut (duodenum distal to the ampulla → proximal 2/3 transverse colon). SMA syndrome compresses the third part of the duodenum.
Overview
An unpaired branch of the abdominal aorta at L1 that supplies the midgut, from the distal duodenum to the proximal two-thirds of the transverse colon.
Reference facts
- Type
Muscular artery
- Origin
Abdominal aorta (L1)
- Branches / tributaries
Inferior pancreaticoduodenal; Jejunal and ileal arteries; Ileocolic; Right colic; Middle colic arteries
- Supplies
Midgut: distal duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, ascending colon, and proximal two-thirds of the transverse colon
- Course
Arises from the anterior aorta at L1, passing anterior to the third part of the duodenum