UNLV School of Medicine Virtual Anatomy Lab

II.B.2 Abdomen: Branches of the Aorta: Page 1 of 5

OBJECTIVES:

2.2.1 Trace the flow of blood to each of the abdominal organs supplied by the superior mesenteric artery and indicate possible collateral vascular pathways.

2.2.2 Trace the flow of blood to each of the abdominal organs supplied by the inferior mesenteric artery and indicate possible collateral vascular pathways.

READINGS:

Moore's COA: Pages 464-467, 471-474. See the blue boxes on pages 476-485 for clinical correlations. See the yellow boxes on pages 485-486 for "The Bottom Line."

We can now look at the superior mesenteric artery which feeds the midgut organs.

As you work through each step, please rotate, dissect and highlight this area to get the full effect of the aorta and arteries and their relationship to the superior mesenteric artery.

Thumbnail of superior/inferior
Click on image to enlarge
Start with the superior mesenteric artery and iliac arteries.

Notice that the superior mesenteric artery crosses over the duodenum. A fat pad between the duodenum and the superior mesenteric artery keeps the two of these structures from effecting one another.