Superior pancreaticoduodenal artery

Structure

It is a branch of the gastroduodenal artery, which most commonly arises from the common hepatic artery of the celiac trunk, although there are numerous variations of the origin of the gastroduodenal artery.

The pancreaticoduodenal artery divides into two branches as it descends, an anterior and posterior branch. These branches then travel around the head of the pancreas and duodenum, eventually joining with the anterior and posterior branches of the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery. The inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery is a branch of the superior mesenteric artery. These arteries, together with the pancreatic branches of the splenic artery, form connections or anastomoses with one another, allowing blood to perfuse the pancreas and duodenum through multiple channels.

Distribution

The artery supplies the anterior and posterior sides of the duodenum and head of pancreas, with the anterior branch supply the anterior surface and similarly for the posterior.

The artery supplies the part of the duodenum proximal to the level of the major duodenal papilla of the descending part of the duodenum.

Additional images

File:Grant 1962 159.png|Anatomical dissection showing the origin of the posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal arteries

References

References

1. "Anatomy Atlases: Illustrated Encyclopedia of Human Anatomic Variation: Opus II: Cardiovascular System: Variations in Origin of Gastroduadenal Artery".
2. Drake, Richard L.. (2005). "Gray's anatomy for students". Elsevier/Churchill Livingstone.
3. (2017). "Essential Clinical Anatomy". Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.