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Middle Colic Artery
Cardiovascular System

Middle Colic Artery

Arteria colica media

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Quick Facts

Origin: Superior mesenteric artery.

Course: Passes anteriorly, recurring superiorly, between the layers of the transverse mesocolon.

Branches: Right and left branches.

Supplied Structures: Most of the transverse colon.

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Origin

The middle colic artery emerges from the proximal part of the superior mesenteric artery, from its right side, just to the right of the midline.

Course

The middle colic artery passes anteriorly and superiorly, between the layers of the transverse mesocolon, towards the transverse colon.

Branches

Close to the transverse colon, the middle colic artery bifurcates into right and left branches.

Supplied Structures

The middle colic artery supplies most of the transverse colon. The right branch extends nearly to the right colic flexure, anastomosing with the ascending branch of the right colic artery. The left branch passes to the left to a point one half to two thirds of the length of the transverse colon where it anastomoses with the ascending branch of the left colic artery. In this way, it connects the superior and inferior mesenteric arteries, bridging between the mid- and hindgut, and continuing the anastomotic circle (of Drummond) of the large intestine.

Learn more about this topic from other Elsevier products

Middle Colic Artery

ScienceDirect image

The middle colic artery, also a branch of the cranial mesenteric artery, provides blood supply to the transverse colon and to the initial part of the small colon.

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