In human anatomy, the splenic artery or lienal artery, an older term, is the blood vessel that supplies oxygenated blood to the spleen. It branches from the celiac artery, and follows a course superior to the pancreas. It is known for its tortuous path to the spleen.

Splenic artery
The visceral surface of the spleen.
Branches of the celiac artery. (Lienal artery is an old term for splenic artery, and is visible at center. The spleen is at center right. The stomach has been flipped out to reveal the splenic artery, so the greater curvature is at the top in this diagram.)
Details
SourceCeliac artery
BranchesPancreatic branches
pancreatica magna
left gastro-omental
short gastric
trabecular arteries
posterior gastric
VeinSplenic vein
SuppliesSpleen
Identifiers
Latinarteria splenica, arteria lienalis
MeSHD013157
TA98A12.2.12.040
TA24239
FMA14773
Anatomical terminology

Structure

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The splenic artery, the largest branch of the celiac trunk, gives off branches to the stomach and pancreas before reaching the spleen.

Branch Description
branches to the pancreas multiple branches serving the pancreas including greater pancreatic artery and dorsal pancreatic artery.
short gastric upper part of greater curvature of the stomach and fundus of the stomach
left gastroepiploic middle of greater curvature of the stomach
posterior gastric posterior of stomach, gastric region superior to the splenic artery

Note that the branches of the splenic artery do not reach all the way to the lower part of the greater curvature of the stomach. Instead, that region is supplied by the right gastroepiploic artery, a branch of the gastroduodenal artery. The two gastroepiploic arteries anastomose with each other at that point.

Relations

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The splenic artery passes between the layers of the lienorenal ligament. Along its course, it is accompanied by a similarly named vein, the splenic vein, which drains into the hepatic portal vein.

Clinical significance

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Free fluid seen on ultrasound from a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm[1]

Splenic artery aneurysms are rare,[1] but still the third most common abdominal aneurysm, after aneurysms of the abdominal aorta and iliac arteries.[2][3] They may occur in pregnant women in the third trimester and rupture carries a maternal mortality of greater than 50% and a fetal mortality of 70 to 90%. Risk factors include smoking and hypertension.[4] For the treatment of patients who represent a high surgical risk, percutaneous endovascular treatment may be considered.[5]

Additional images

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References

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  1. ^ "UOTW #46 - Ultrasound of the Week". Ultrasound of the Week. 3 May 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
  1. ^ Abbas MA, Stone WM, Fowl RJ, Gloviczki P, Oldenburg WA, Pairolero PC, Hallett JW, Bower TC, Panneton JM, Cherry KJ (2002)."Splenic arterya neurysms: two decades experience at Mayo clinic". Ann Vasc Surg. 16(4): 442-449. PMID 12089631
  2. ^ Jamsheer NS, Malik M (2001). "Ruptured splenic artery aneurysm". Ann Saudi Med. 21(5-6): pp. 340–341. Accessed July 30, 2005.
  3. ^ Pauletto R, Mieres J, Incarbone A, García A, Santaera O (2013). "Exclusión de aneurisma esplénico gigante con técnica de catéteres mother-in-child en paciente de alto riesgo quirúrgico". Revista Argentina de Cardioangiología Vol. 4(1): pp. 62–65, Buenos Aires (Argentina): Colegio Argentino de Cardioangiología Intervencionista. ISSN 2313-9307, retrieved 11 September 2013.
  4. ^ Suzuki K, Prates JC, DiDio LJ (1978)."Incidence and surgical importance of the posterior gastricartery", Ann. Surg. 187(2): 134-136.
  5. ^ Pauletto R, Mieres J, Incarbone A, García A, Santaera O (2013). "Exclusión de aneurisma esplénico gigante con técnica de catéteres mother-in-child en paciente de alto riesgo quirúrgico". Revista Argentina de Cardioangiología Vol. 4(1): pp. 62–65, Buenos Aires (Argentina): Colegio Argentino de Cardioangiología Intervencionista. ISSN 2313-9307, retrieved 11 September 2013.
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