The left colic artery is a branch of the inferior mesenteric artery distributed to the descending colon, and left part of the transverse colon. It ends by dividing into an ascending branch and a descending branch;[1] the terminal branches of the two branches go on to form anastomoses with the middle colic artery, and a sigmoid artery (respectively).[2]: 1196
| Left colic artery | |
|---|---|
 The inferior mesenteric artery and its branches. (Left colic visible at center right.) | |
 Sigmoid colon and rectum, showing distribution of branches of inferior mesenteric artery and their anastomoses. (Left colic visible at center left.) | |
| Details | |
| Source | Inferior mesenteric |
| Vein | Left colic vein |
| Supplies | Descending colon |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | arteria colica sinistra |
| TA98 | A12.2.12.071 |
| TA2 | 4292 |
| FMA | 14826 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
Structure
editThe left colic artery usually represents the dominant arterial supply to the left colic flexure.[2]: 1196
Course
editThe left colic artery passes to the left posterior to the peritoneum. After a short but variable course, it divides into an ascending branch and a descending branch.[1]
Branches and anastomoses
editAscending branch
editThe ascending branch passes superior-ward. It passes anterior to the (ipsilateral) psoas major muscle, gonadal vessels, ureter, and kidney; it passes posterior to the inferior mesenteric vein. Its terminal branches form anastomoses with those of the middle colic artery; it also forms anastomoses with the descending branch (of the left colic artery).[2]: 1196
Descending branch
editThe descending branch passes inferolaterally.[2]: 1196 It forms anastomoses with the superior-most sigmoid artery[1] as well as the ascending branch (of the left colic artery), thereby participating in the formation of the marginal artery of the colon.[2]: 1196
Variation
editThe left colic artery may have a common origin with a sigmoid artery, or may arise by branching of from a sigmoid artery. Occasionally, the left colic artery may arise from either the superior mesenteric artery, the middle colic artery, or the proximal-most jejunal artery; rarely, an accessory left colic artery may arise from the aforementioned arteries. An accessory left colic artery may also arise from the left colic artery itself.[2]: 1196
Clinical significance
editThe left colic artery may be ligated during abdominal surgery to remove colorectal cancer.[3] This may have poorer outcomes than preserving the artery.[3]
Additional images
edit-
Superior and inferior duodenal fossæ. -
Duodenojejunal fossa.
References
edit- ^ a b c Gray, Henry (1918). Gray's Anatomy (20th ed.). p. 610.
- ^ a b c d e f Gray's anatomy : the anatomical basis of clinical practice. Susan Standring (Forty-second ed.). [New York]. 2021. ISBN 978-0-7020-7707-4. OCLC 1201341621.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ a b Fan, Yu-Chen; Ning, Fei-Long; Zhang, Chun-Dong; Dai, Dong-Qiu (April 2018). "Preservation versus non-preservation of left colic artery in sigmoid and rectal cancer surgery: A meta-analysis". International Journal of Surgery (London, England). 52: 269–277. doi:10.1016/j.ijsu.2018.02.054. ISSN 1743-9159. PMID 29501795.
External links
edit- Lotti M. Anatomy in relation to left colectomy
- sup&infmesentericart at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University)
- Anatomy photo:39:05-0105 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Intestines and Pancreas: Branches of the Inferior Mesenteric Artery"
- Anatomy image:8585 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center
- Anatomy image:8658 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center
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