Origin and location
The inferior pancreaticoduodenalis artery originates from the right margin of the initial segment of the superior mesenteric artery (a. mesenterica superior).
The superior and inferior pancreaticoduodenal arteries run towards each other parallel to the concave margin of the duodenum, within the groove between the duodenum and the head of the pancreas. Their branches run along the anterior and posterior surfaces of the pancreatic head and the adjacent duodenum.
What branches does it divide into?
The inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery divides into two trunks:
- Anterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery (a. pancreaticoduodenalis inferior anterior / r. anterior) — an anterior branch that runs along the anterior surface of the head of the pancreas and the adjacent part of the duodenum.
- Posterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery (a. pancreaticoduodenalis inferior posterior / r. posterior) — a posterior branch that runs along the posterior surface of the head of the pancreas and the adjacent part of the duodenum.
What does it supply?
The inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery participates in the blood supply of:
- The duodenum — descending and inferior parts.
- The pancreas — head (caput pancreatis).
Short, straight branches extend radially from the formed arterial arcades into the wall of the intestine.
Arterial arcades and major anastomoses
The branches of the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery run towards the superior pancreaticoduodenal arteries, which branch off from the gastroduodenal artery (a. gastroduodenalis).
The superior and inferior pancreaticoduodenal arteries anastomose to form two vascular structures:
- Anterior arterial arcade — formed by the anastomosis of the superior and inferior anterior pancreaticoduodenal arteries.
- Posterior arterial arcade — formed by the anastomosis of the superior and inferior posterior pancreaticoduodenal arteries.
The pancreaticoduodenal arcades serve as an important connecting anastomosis between the celiac trunk and the superior mesenteric artery.
Venous drainage, lymphatic drainage, and innervation
- Venous drainage: goes via veins of the same name into v. mesenterica superior et inferior, v. splenica, v. gastrica sinistra, and further into v. portae.
- Lymphatic drainage: lymph drains into the pancreatic, pancreaticoduodenal, splenic, pyloric, and lumbar lymph nodes (nodi lymphoidei pancreatici, pancreaticoduodenales, splenici, pylorici, lumbales).
- Innervation: supplied by the celiac plexus (plexus coeliacus) and branches of the vagus nerve (n. vagus).
Clinical significance
Embolism or thrombosis of the superior mesenteric artery leads to acute small bowel ischemia and is a life-threatening condition.
Class and exam questions
From which artery does the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery originate?
It originates from the right margin of the initial segment of the superior mesenteric artery (a. mesenterica superior).
With which vessels does it form anastomoses?
With the superior pancreaticoduodenal arteries branching from a. gastroduodenalis. By joining, they form the anterior and posterior arterial arcades.
What is the clinical significance of this vascular territory?
The pancreaticoduodenal arcades form an important anastomosis between the celiac trunk and the superior mesenteric artery. Embolism or thrombosis of the superior mesenteric artery leads to life-threatening acute small bowel ischemia.
What else to study on this topic
- Superior mesenteric artery (a. mesenterica superior)
- Celiac trunk (truncus coeliacus)
- Gastroduodenal artery (a. gastroduodenalis)
- Blood supply to the pancreas
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