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Inferior mesenteric artery

The inferior mesenteric artery arises from the abdominal aorta at the level of the third lumbar vertebra. It supplies the hindgut and has four major branches called left colic, sigmoid and superior rectal arteries. It also contributes to the formation of the marginal artery of Drummond. The gastrointestinal tract extends from the mouth to the rectum. It is comprised of a number of hollow organs that enable us to process, digest and gain nutrients from the food we eat. Its various parts are specialized to absorb certain nutrients and vitamins, for example, essential micronutrients like vitamin B12 are absorbed in the terminal ileum.

The bowel develops in three separate sections, namely the foregut, midgut and hindgut. Separate nerves, arteries, and veins supply these various sections.

Key facts about the inferior mesenteric artery
Origin Abdominal aorta at level of L3
Branches Left colic, Sigmoid, Superior rectal arteries
Contributes to the formation of the marginal artery of Drummond
Mnemonic:
Lesley Sings Songs
Supplies Left third of transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, rectum
Clinical points Left hemicolectomy, ischemic colitis, volvulus

This article will describe the inferior mesenteric artery (which supplies the hindgut), including its branches, and clinical relevance. 

Contents
  1. Anatomy
    1. Course and supply
    2. Innervation
  2. Branches
  3. Clinical points
  4. Sources
+ Show all

Anatomy

There are three major parts in the gastrointestinal tract. These are the foregut, midgut and hindgut. The foregut extends from the mouth to the major duodenal papillae (where the ampulla of Vater empties into the duodenum). The midgut extends from this point to two thirds of the way along the transverse colon. The hindgut runs from this point to the dentate line of the anal canal. The lower anal canal, below the dentate line, is perfused by the middle rectal artery (a branch of the internal iliac artery) and the inferior rectal artery (a branch of the internal pudendal artery).

Course and supply

The coeliac trunk arises from the abdominal aorta at the level of the vertebral body of T12/L1 to supply the foregut. The superior mesenteric artery supplies the midgut and the inferior mesenteric artery supplies the hindgut. Each of these arteries give off major branches that supply regions of the gastrointestinal tract. The inferior mesenteric artery arises from the abdominal aorta at the level of the third lumbar vertebra, making it the third major unpaired branch of the abdominal aorta. It supplies the distal third of the transverse colon, the splenic flexure, the descending colon, the sigmoid colon and the rectum, as well as the superior part of the anal canal down to the dentate line. The area of the colon supplied by the left colic artery overlaps with the middle colic artery (a branch of the superior mesenteric artery), forming the marginal artery of Drummond. The superior rectal artery anastomoses with the middle and inferior rectal arteries.

Innervation

Similarly, the sympathetic input to the foregut, midgut and hindgut are supplied by the thoracic and lumbar splanchnic nerves, i.e. T5-T9, T9-T12 and L1-L2 respectively. The parasympathetic input to the foregut and midgut is supplied by the vagus nerve (cranial nerve 10) while the pelvic splanchnic nerves provide parasympathetic innervation to the hindgut.

Inferior mesenteric artery in a cadaver: The exact origin of the inferior mesenteric artery is posterior to the horizontal part of the duodenum. To find it easily, trace one of its branches from the sigmoid mesocolon back to the origin. The inferior mesenteric artery also passes anterior to the ureter.

Branches

Left colic artery: This is the first branch of the inferior mesenteric artery, and its initial section runs retroperitoneally and crosses in front of the left kidney and the psoas major muscle. It has both an ascending and a descending branch. The ascending branch anastomoses with branches of the middle colic artery (a branch of the superior mesenteric artery), and the descending branch anastomoses with the first sigmoid artery.

Sigmoid arteries: The sigmoid colon is around 40 cm in length, and is S-shaped. The position of this part of the bowel is variable, as it can be intra-abdominal or lie within the pelvis. The sigmoid colon (as well as the transverse colon) lies within the peritoneum, and begins at the superior aperture of the lesser pelvis. There are usually around 3 branches of this artery, which pass inferiorly and obliquely posterior to the peritoneum, but anterior to psoas major, the kidneys and ureters. These branches supply the inferior part of the descending colon and the S-shaped sigmoid colon.

Superior rectal artery: At the midpoint of the sacrum, the S-shaped sigmoid colon will lose its mesentery (double layer of peritoneum) and will become the rectum. The rectum is approximately 14-15 cm long, and ends in the anus. This artery supplies the rectum above the pectinate line. It divides into two branches (anterior and posterior). They pierce the muscular wall of the rectum, and descend as straight arteries to the level of the internal anal sphincter. Here they form a net-like mesh of arteries that anastomose with the middle rectal and inferior rectal arteries, which supply the anal canal below the pectinate line.

Marginal artery of Drummond: This is a continuous arterial arcade that runs along the internal border of the colon, and is formed by the anastomosis of the terminal branches of the superior and inferior mesenteric arteries. The left colic (a branch of the inferior mesenteric artery) and the middle colic (a branch of the superior mesenteric artery) have a focally small anastomosis, which makes the splenic flexure a watershed area that is vulnerable to ischaemia.

Mnemonic: If you want an easy way to remember the branches of the inferior mesenteric artery (excluding the marginal artery of Drummond) just memorise Lesley Sings Songs! It stands for:

Left colic a
Sigmoid a.
Superior rectal a.

For more information about the anatomy of the inferior mesenteric artery, take a look below:

Inferior mesenteric artery: want to learn more about it?

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