VAN 121: Veterinary Gross Anatomy-II (2+2)

ANTERIOR MESENTERIC ARTERY

• Visceral unpaired. It arises from the ventral face of the abdominal aorta immediately behind the coeliac artery and is of the same size.
• Its lateral faces are related to the anterior mesenteric ganglia and the mesenteric plexus encloses the artery. ( Click to view the Blood circulation of gut )

Collateral branches

• Pancreatic branches to the pancreas.
• The middle colic artery to the terminal part of the colon.
• The ileo colic artery gives off the ileo-caecal artery, which divides into caecal and ileal branches to the caecum and ileum.
• The ramus collaterallis runs in the mesentery along the ventral border of the coils of the colon and unites with the next branch.
• It supplies the posterior one third of the small intestine.
• The continuing trunk passes along the visceral border of the mesentery corresponding to the series of mesenteric lymph glands and unites with the ramus collaterallis.
• It supplies the anterior two-third of the small intestine.
• Both supply branches to the mesenteric lymph glands.