Arteries of the pancreas, duodenum and spleen (English)

Anterior view with the liver retracted and stomach removed. The posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery arises as a proximal branch of the gastroduodenal artery, while its anterior counterpart arises as the smaller terminal branch of the same vessel. The anterior and posterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal arteries arise from a common branch of the superior mesenteric artery. The pancreaticoduodenal arteries project around the pancreatic neck where they form arterial arcades to supply the head, neck and uncinate process of the pancreas. The duodenum is also supplied by these arteries, and additionally by the supraduodenal artery (see gallery below). The splenic artery is the longest branch of the celiac trunk and runs horizontally towards the spleen. It courses along the superior border of the pancreas and supplies its body and tail with numerous branches (dorsal pancreatic artery, great pancreatic artery, artery of tail of pancreas). Upon reaching the splenic hilum, it divides into 2-3 terminal branches supplying the spleen.