In
human anatomy, the greater pancreatic artery (great pancreatic artery or arteria pancreatica magna), is the largest
artery
An artery (plural arteries) () is a blood vessel in humans and most animals that takes blood away from the heart to one or more parts of the body (tissues, lungs, brain etc.). Most arteries carry oxygenated blood; the two exceptions are the pu ...
that supplies 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 ...
. It arises 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 ...
.
Clinical relevance
Rarely, the greater pancreatic artery can rupture as a complication of
chronic pancreatitis; this is often fatal.
See also
*
Upper gastrointestinal bleed
Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is gastrointestinal bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract, commonly defined as bleeding arising from the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum. Blood may be observed in vomit or in altered form as black stool. Dep ...
*
Pancreatic branches of splenic artery
References
External links
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{{Authority control
Arteries of the abdomen