Splenic Artery Flashcards

Study the splenic artery's tortuous course, pancreatic branches, gastric supply, terminal divisions, and surgical relationships.

Card 1 of 28Question

What is the splenic artery?

A major artery supplying the spleen, with branches to the pancreas and stomach.

In This Section

1. What is the splenic artery?

A major artery supplying the spleen, with branches to the pancreas and stomach.

2. From which major artery does the splenic artery typically originate?

The celiac trunk.

3. Which embryological arterial territory includes the splenic artery?

The foregut arterial territory.

4. In which general direction does the splenic artery travel from the celiac trunk?

Toward the left side of the upper abdomen, in the direction of the spleen.

5. Along which border of the pancreas does the splenic artery typically course?

The superior border of the pancreas.

6. What characteristic shape does the splenic artery usually have?

A tortuous or winding course.

7. What is the relationship of the splenic artery to the stomach?

It passes posterior to the stomach, separated from it by the lesser sac.

8. Which vein runs close to the splenic artery along the pancreas?

The splenic vein, generally posterior and inferior to the artery.

9. Within which ligament does the distal splenic artery approach the splenic hilum?

The splenorenal ligament.

10. Which part of the pancreas lies close to the distal splenic vessels near the splenic hilum?

The tail of the pancreas.

11. What are the principal groups of branches of the splenic artery?

Pancreatic, short gastric, left gastro-omental, and terminal splenic branches.

12. Which branches of the splenic artery supply the body and tail of the pancreas?

The pancreatic branches.

13. What is the dorsal pancreatic artery?

A pancreatic artery that commonly arises from the splenic artery and supplies part of the pancreatic neck and body.

14. What is the great pancreatic artery also called?

The arteria pancreatica magna.

15. Which pancreatic artery commonly supplies the distal pancreatic body and tail near the splenic hilum?

The caudal pancreatic artery.

16. Which branches of the splenic artery primarily supply the gastric fundus?

The short gastric arteries.

17. Within which peritoneal ligament do the short gastric arteries travel?

The gastrosplenic ligament.

18. Which branch of the splenic artery runs along the greater curvature of the stomach?

The left gastro-omental artery.

19. Which artery anastomoses with the left gastro-omental artery along the greater curvature?

The right gastro-omental artery.

20. How does the splenic artery typically terminate near the spleen?

By dividing into multiple terminal branches that enter the splenic hilum.

21. What are the superior and inferior polar arteries of the spleen?

Variable splenic arterial branches that enter near the splenic poles, sometimes outside the hilum.

22. Why are the terminal splenic arterial branches considered segmental end arteries?

They supply distinct splenic territories with limited effective collateral circulation.

23. What is a recognized variation in the origin of the splenic artery?

It may arise directly from the abdominal aorta instead of the celiac trunk.

24. What is a splenic artery aneurysm?

An abnormal localized dilation of the splenic artery.

25. Why can splenic artery injury occur during pancreatic surgery?

The artery courses close to the superior border of the pancreas.

26. Why is preservation of the short gastric arteries important during splenic artery ligation?

They may contribute to collateral splenic perfusion through connections with the left gastro-omental artery.

27. Why is splenic segmental arterial anatomy important during partial splenectomy?

Selective control of segmental branches helps preserve perfusion to the remaining splenic tissue.

28. Which imaging technique can demonstrate splenic artery aneurysms and branching variations?

Computed tomography angiography.