The right colic artery is an artery of the abdomen, a branch of the superior mesenteric artery supplying the ascending colon. It divides into two terminal branches - an ascending branch and a descending branch - which form anastomoses with the middle colic artery, and ileocolic artery (respectively).
Right colic artery | |
---|---|
Details | |
Source | Superior mesenteric artery |
Vein | Right colic vein |
Supplies | Ascending colon |
Identifiers | |
Latin | arteria colica dextra |
TA98 | A12.2.12.065 |
TA2 | 4264 |
FMA | 14811 |
Anatomical terminology |
The right colic artery may be removed during a right hemicolectomy.
Structure
The right colic artery is a relatively small and variable artery.[1] It affords arterial supply to the ascending colon.[2]
Origin
The right colic artery is a branch of the superior mesenteric artery.[2][3] It usually arises from a common trunk with the middle colic artery, but may also arise directly from the superior mesenteric artery, or from the ileocolic artery.[4]
Course
It passes right-ward posterior to the peritoneum, and anterior to the right gonadal vessels, the right ureter, the psoas major muscle, passing toward the middle of the ascending colon.[5]
Sometimes, it lies at a higher level, and crosses the descending part of the duodenum and the inferior extremity of the right kidney.[6]
At the colon, it divides into a descending branch and an ascending branch. These branches form arches, from the convexity of which vessels are distributed to the ascending colon.[7]
Branches and anastomoses
The descending branch anastomoses with the ileocolic artery.[8]
The ascending branch anastomoses with the middle colic artery.[9]
Variation
The right colic artery is quite variable.[1] It is absent in around 10% of individuals.[10]
Clinical significance
In a right hemicolectomy to remove the caecum and the ascending colon, the right colic artery is ligated and removed.[2][11] Ligation is performed close to the origin of the right colic artery from the superior mesenteric artery.[11]
If part of the superior mesenteric artery is missing due to a congenital abnormality, the right colic artery may supply part of the ileum.[12]
References
This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 609 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
External links
- Anatomy figure: 39:01-04 at Human Anatomy Online, SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Branches of the superior mesenteric artery."
- Anatomy photo:39:03-0102 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Intestines and Pancreas: Branches of Superior Mesenteric Artery"
- Anatomy image:8580 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center
- largeintestine at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University)
- sup&infmesentericart at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University)