Mesenteric Ischemia (6 of 12)

Three major vessels serve the abdominal contents: the
celiac trunk, the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), and
the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA). The celiac trunk
supplies the esophagus, stomach, proximal duodenum,
liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and spleen. The SMA supplies
the distal duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon to the
splenic flexure. The IMA supplies the descending colon
and sigmoid colon and the rectum. Collateral vessels are
abundant in the stomach, duodenum, and rectum; these
areas rarely develop ischemia. The splenic flexure is a
watershed between the SMA and IMA and is at particular
risk of ischemia