From the Guidelines
The celiac artery has three main branches: the left gastric artery, the common hepatic artery, and the splenic artery. These branches are crucial for supplying blood to the upper abdominal organs, including the stomach, liver, spleen, and pancreas. The left gastric artery supplies the lesser curvature of the stomach and the lower esophagus 1. The common hepatic artery divides into the proper hepatic artery, which supplies the liver, and the gastroduodenal artery, which supplies the stomach, duodenum, and pancreas. The splenic artery, the largest branch of the celiac trunk, supplies the spleen, part of the stomach via the short gastric arteries, and part of the pancreas through the pancreatic branches.
Some key points to consider about the celiac artery and its branches include:
- The celiac artery itself originates from the abdominal aorta at the level of the T12 vertebra, just as the aorta passes through the diaphragm, making it the first major branch of the abdominal aorta.
- The left gastric artery, common hepatic artery, and splenic artery are the primary branches of the celiac trunk, and they play a vital role in the blood supply to the upper abdominal organs.
- Understanding the anatomy of the celiac artery and its branches is essential for surgical procedures, such as gastrectomy, and for the management of conditions like gastric cancer 1.
- The celiac artery and its branches are also important for the lymph node dissection in gastric cancer surgery, with the nodes along the left gastric artery, common hepatic artery, celiac artery, and splenic artery being grouped together as N2 lymph nodes 1.
In terms of clinical implications, knowledge of the celiac artery and its branches is crucial for surgeons and clinicians to make informed decisions about patient care, particularly in the context of gastric cancer surgery and the management of upper abdominal organs. The anatomy of the celiac artery and its branches can vary, with some studies suggesting that anatomical variations exist in about 15-20% of people. However, the basic branching pattern of the celiac artery remains consistent, with the left gastric artery, common hepatic artery, and splenic artery being the primary branches.
From the Research
Branches of the Celiac Artery
The celiac artery, also known as the celiac trunk, typically gives rise to three main branches:
- Left gastric artery (LGA)
- Common hepatic artery (CHA)
- Splenic artery (SpA)
Variations in the Branches of the Celiac Artery
There are several variations in the branches of the celiac artery, including:
- The left gastric, common hepatic, and splenic arteries arising independently from the abdominal aorta, instead of originating from the celiac trunk 2, 3, 4
- The gastrosplenic and hepatomesenteric trunks, where the left gastric and splenic arteries originate from a common trunk, and the common hepatic artery originates from the superior mesenteric artery 5
- Anomalous origins of the left gastric, common hepatic, and splenic arteries from the abdominal aorta, with varying distances from the origin of the superior mesenteric artery 2, 4
Clinical Significance of Variations in the Branches of the Celiac Artery
The variations in the branches of the celiac artery can have significant implications for surgical and clinical practice, including: