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Descending Branch of Left Colic Artery
Cardiovascular System

Descending Branch of Left Colic Artery

Ramus descendens arteriae colicae sinistrae

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Quick Facts

Origin: Left colic artery

Course: Passes lateral and inferiorly out to near the descending colon then passes along its medial aspect.

Branches: Terminal anastomoses with those from the sigmoidal branches of the left colic artery.

Supplied Structures: Inferior portion of the descending colon.

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Origin

As the left colic artery approaches the descending colon, it bifurcates into ascending and descending branches.

Course

The descending branch of the left colic artery courses inferiorly, along the medial aspect of the descending colon. It tracks the inferior portion of the descending colon to the sigmoid colon.

Branches

The descending branch terminates by anastomosing with ascending branches of the superior-most sigmoid artery (also a branch of the left colic artery). This further continues the anastomotic arcade (of Drummond) that supplies the large intestine.

Supplied Structures

The descending branch of the left colic artery supplies the inferior one half to one third of the descending colon down to the sigmoid colon.

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Artery

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Arteries are vessels transporting blood between heart, tissues, and other organs in order to supply them with nutrition and oxygen.

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