Branch of the abdominal aorta supplying part of the large intestine
Inferior mesenteric artery
Sigmoid colon and rectum, showing distribution of branches of inferior mesenteric artery and their anastomoses. (Inferior mesenteric artery labeled at center.)
Abdominal part of digestive tube and its attachment to the primitive or common mesentery. Human embryo of six weeks. (Inferior mesenteric artery labeled at bottom right.)
Proximally, its territory of distribution overlaps (forms a watershed) with the middle colic artery, and therefore the superior mesenteric artery. The SMA and IMA anastomose via the marginal artery of the colon (artery of Drummond) and via Riolan's arcade (also called the "meandering artery", an arterial connection between the left colic artery and the middle colic artery). The territory of distribution of the IMA is more or less equivalent to the embryonic hindgut.[1][4]
Clinical significance
The IMA and/or its branches must be resected for a left hemicolectomy.[5]
A horseshoe kidney, a common (1 in 500) anomaly of the kidneys, will be positioned below the IMA.[6][7]
Additional images
The abdominal aorta and its branches.
The inferior mesenteric artery and its branches.
Abdominal portion of the sympathetic trunk, with the celiac plexus and hypogastric plexus.
Duodenojejunal fossa.
Posterior abdominal wall, after removal of the peritoneum, showing kidneys, suprarenal capsules, and great vessels.
Front of abdomen, showing surface markings for arteries and inguinal canal.
Inferior mesenteric artery
Lumbar and sacral plexus. Deep dissection.Anterior view.
Lumbar and sacral plexus. Deep dissection.Anterior view.
Lumbar and sacral plexus. Deep dissection.Anterior view.
References
^ abcdeStandring, Susan (2016). Gray's anatomy: the anatomical basis of clinical practice (41st ed.). Philadelphia: Elsevier Limited. ISBN978-0-7020-5230-9. OCLC920806541.
^ abcdefDrake, Richard L.; Vogl, Wayne; Mitchell, Adam W. M.; Gray, Henry (15 November 2015). Gray's anatomy for students (3rd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier. ISBN978-0-7020-5131-9. OCLC881508489.
^ abcMoore, Keith L.; Dalley, Arthur F. II; Agur, A. M. R. (13 February 2013). Clinically oriented anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN978-1-4511-1945-9. OCLC813301028.