open access

Vol 81, No 2 (2022)
Original article
Submitted: 2021-01-07
Accepted: 2021-02-22
Published online: 2021-03-22
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Topographic location and branching pattern of the superior mesenteric artery with its clinical relevance: a cadaveric study

S. Nigah1, A. Patra2, S. Chumbar2, P. Chaudhary1
·
Pubmed: 33778940
·
Folia Morphol 2022;81(2):372-378.
Affiliations
  1. Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bathinda (PB), India
  2. Department of Forensic Medicine, GGS Medical College, Faridkot, India

open access

Vol 81, No 2 (2022)
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Submitted: 2021-01-07
Accepted: 2021-02-22
Published online: 2021-03-22

Abstract

Background: The topographic location of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and its branching pattern are usually arbitrary in textbooks. This study, therefore, aims to provide topographic information of SMA with reference to the vertebral bodies, ventral branches of aorta and branching pattern of SMA.
Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 35 embalmed adult human cadavers. We performed detailed dissection of the SMA to topographically locate its origin in respect to vertebral level and other ventral branches of the abdominal aorta. We have categorised the branching pattern of SMA into three different types depending upon the number of arterial pedicles, traced from proximal to distal to look into their anastomoses and formation marginal artery of Drummond.
Results: Vertebral level of origin of SMA varied between the lower third of twelfth thoracic vertebra (T12) and lower third of first lumbar vertebra (L1), most commonly arose at the level of the lower third of L1 (77.14%). The average distances between the origin of SMA and coeliac trunk (CT), inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) and aortic bifurcation were 1.84 cm, 6.67 cm and 10.39 cm, respectively. Depending on the branching pattern, type A was found in 29 (82.85%) cases, type B in 5 (14.28%) and type C in 1 (2.85%). In 2 cases (both of type B), the marginal artery was incomplete.
Conclusions: The most common topography of origin of the SMA was opposite the lower third of L1. The coeliac-superior mesenteric relationship was most consistent than between any other two points on the abdominal aorta; 85% of the SMAs were concentrated within a space of 1.00 cm (0.60–1.50 cm) from the CT. Type A branching pattern was most commonly seen in our study population.

Abstract

Background: The topographic location of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and its branching pattern are usually arbitrary in textbooks. This study, therefore, aims to provide topographic information of SMA with reference to the vertebral bodies, ventral branches of aorta and branching pattern of SMA.
Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 35 embalmed adult human cadavers. We performed detailed dissection of the SMA to topographically locate its origin in respect to vertebral level and other ventral branches of the abdominal aorta. We have categorised the branching pattern of SMA into three different types depending upon the number of arterial pedicles, traced from proximal to distal to look into their anastomoses and formation marginal artery of Drummond.
Results: Vertebral level of origin of SMA varied between the lower third of twelfth thoracic vertebra (T12) and lower third of first lumbar vertebra (L1), most commonly arose at the level of the lower third of L1 (77.14%). The average distances between the origin of SMA and coeliac trunk (CT), inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) and aortic bifurcation were 1.84 cm, 6.67 cm and 10.39 cm, respectively. Depending on the branching pattern, type A was found in 29 (82.85%) cases, type B in 5 (14.28%) and type C in 1 (2.85%). In 2 cases (both of type B), the marginal artery was incomplete.
Conclusions: The most common topography of origin of the SMA was opposite the lower third of L1. The coeliac-superior mesenteric relationship was most consistent than between any other two points on the abdominal aorta; 85% of the SMAs were concentrated within a space of 1.00 cm (0.60–1.50 cm) from the CT. Type A branching pattern was most commonly seen in our study population.

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Keywords

aortic bifurcation, coeliac artery, inferior mesenteric artery, superior mesenteric artery, topography

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Title

Topographic location and branching pattern of the superior mesenteric artery with its clinical relevance: a cadaveric study

Journal

Folia Morphologica

Issue

Vol 81, No 2 (2022)

Article type

Original article

Pages

372-378

Published online

2021-03-22

Page views

5538

Article views/downloads

1534

DOI

10.5603/FM.a2021.0031

Pubmed

33778940

Bibliographic record

Folia Morphol 2022;81(2):372-378.

Keywords

aortic bifurcation
coeliac artery
inferior mesenteric artery
superior mesenteric artery
topography

Authors

S. Nigah
A. Patra
S. Chumbar
P. Chaudhary

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