In human anatomy, the superior mesenteric artery arises from the anterior surface of the abdominal aorta, just inferior to the origin of the celiac trunk, and supplies the intestine from the lower part of the duodenum to the left colic flexure and the pancreas.

It arises anterior to vertebra L1 in an adult. It is usually 1cm lower than the celiac trunk. It courses posterior to the pancreas and typically to the left of the similarly named vein, the superior mesenteric vein. After passing the neck of the pancreas it starts giving off its branches:

• inferior pancreaticoduodenal
• middle colic - to the transverse colon
• right colic - to ascending colon
• ileocecal - to last part of ileum, cecum, and appendix
• intestinal branches - to jejunum and ileum

The middle, right, and ileocecal branches anastomose with each other to form a marginal artery along the inner border of the colon. This artery is completed by branches of the left colic which is a branch of the inferior mesenteric artery.

Pathology of the SMA

---

Occlusion of the SMA almost invariably leads to intestinal ischemia and often has devastating consequences; up to 80% of SMA occlusions lead to death.Redaelli CA, Schilling MK, Buchler MW. Intraoperative laser Doppler flowmetry: a predictor of ischemic injury in acute mesenteric infarction. Dig Surg. 1998;15(1):55-9. PMID 9845564. Full Text.

Reference

---

External link

---

Arteries | Abdomen

Artère mésentérique supérieure | Artéria mesentérica superior