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The third time is the charm—Anastomosis between the celiac trunk and the left colic artery
Author(s) -
Stimec Bojan V.,
Terraz Sylvain,
Fasel Jean H.D.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
clinical anatomy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.667
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1098-2353
pISSN - 0897-3806
DOI - 10.1002/ca.21081
Subject(s) - medicine , anastomosis , trunk , superior mesenteric artery , anatomy , pancreas , artery , aorta , abdominal aorta , radiology , surgery , ecology , biology
Abstract An atypical case of abdominal vasculature, found in a 58‐year‐old woman is presented. The multidetector computed tomography angiogram revealed a large tortuous anastomotic vessel between the stem of the celiac trunk and the left colic artery, supplying branches for the left colon and pancreatic body and tail. We propose a simple embryological explanation for the development of this aberrant artery—the longitudinal ventral anastomosis, which connects the precursors of principal visceral arteries in a loop‐like manner, loses its direct communication with the superior mesenteric artery but maintains its continuity above and below this level. This variation could pose a problem for radiological interpretation and affect surgical approaches to the aorta, left colon, and the pancreas. Clin. Anat. 24:258–261, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.