The pancreatic branches or pancreatic arteries are numerous small vessels derived from the

splenic artery In human anatomy, the splenic artery or lienal artery is the blood vessel that supplies oxygenated blood to the spleen. It branches from the celiac artery, and follows a course superior to the pancreas. It is known for its tortuous path to the s ...

as it runs behind the upper border of the

pancreas The pancreas is an organ of the digestive system and endocrine system of vertebrates. In humans, it is located in the abdomen behind the stomach and functions as a gland. The pancreas is a mixed or heterocrine gland, i.e. it has both an en ...

, supplying its

body Body may refer to: In science * Physical body, an object in physics that represents a large amount, has mass or takes up space * Body (biology), the physical material of an organism * Body plan, the physical features shared by a group of anima ...

and

tail The tail is the section at the rear end of certain kinds of animals’ bodies; in general, the term refers to a distinct, flexible appendage to the torso. It is the part of the body that corresponds roughly to the sacrum and coccyx in mammal ...

. One of these, larger than the rest, is sometimes given off near the tail of the pancreas; it runs from left to right near the posterior surface of the gland, following the course of the pancreatic duct, and is called the

greater pancreatic artery In human anatomy, the greater pancreatic artery (great pancreatic artery or arteria pancreatica magna), is the largest artery that supplies the pancreas. It arises from the splenic artery. Clinical relevance Rarely, the greater pancreatic artery ...

. These vessels anastomose with the pancreatic branches of the superior and

inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery The inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery (the IPDA) is a branch of the superior mesenteric artery. It supplies the head of the pancreas, and the ascending and inferior parts of the duodenum. Rarely, it may have an aneurysm. Structure The inferio ...

that are given off by the

gastroduodenal artery In anatomy, the gastroduodenal artery is a small blood vessel in the abdomen. It supplies blood directly to the pylorus (distal part of the stomach) and proximal part of the duodenum. It also indirectly supplies the pancreatic head (via the anterio ...

and

superior mesenteric artery In human anatomy, the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) is an artery which arises from the anterior surface of the abdominal aorta, just inferior to the origin of the celiac trunk, and supplies blood to the intestine from the lower part of the du ...

respectively.

Branches

There are four main pancreatic branches of the splenic artery: *

Greater pancreatic artery In human anatomy, the greater pancreatic artery (great pancreatic artery or arteria pancreatica magna), is the largest artery that supplies the pancreas. It arises from the splenic artery. Clinical relevance Rarely, the greater pancreatic artery ...

Dorsal pancreatic artery The dorsal pancreatic artery is a branch of the splenic artery. It anastomoses with the superior pancreaticoduodenal artery The superior pancreaticoduodenal artery is an artery that supplies blood to the duodenum and pancreas. Structure It is ...

*Inferior pancreatic artery (aka transverse pancreatic artery) * Caudal pancreatic artery

References

External links

* * () Arteries of the abdomen {{circulatory-stub