Click for a larger image
The [celiac trunk] is the first anterior unpaired branch of the abdominal aorta. Through its branches the celiac trunk provides arterial blood supply to the stomach, spleen, duodenum, and pancreas, as well as the liver. The celiac trunk is related on its left side to the suspensory muscle of the duodenum, which when covered by peritoneum forms the ligament of Treitz.
The celiac trunk is a very short artery which rapidly divides in its three branches:
- Left gastric artery: Provides blood supply to the stomach and is part of the lesser curvature vascular arcade.
- Splenic artery: Provides blood supply to the spleen, and to the stomach through a branch, the left gastroepiploic artery.
- Common hepatic artery: Provides blood supply to the liver, stomach and pancreas
Image property of: CAA.Inc. Photographer: David M. Klein