Transcript

In this screen-cast James outlines the complex blood supply to the midgut and hindgut.

These two regions of the gastrointestinal tract are supplied from branches of the superior and inferior mesenteric arteries, respectively. Specifically, the small intestines receive branches that pass from the superior mesenteric artery to the jejunum and ileum via the mesentery. Within the mesentery they form a complex arrangement of arterial arcades and vasa recta.

The large intestine receives arterial blood from both mesenteric arteries and as these branches pass to the large intestine they from an important artery that runs parallel to the large intestine: the marginal artery.

As we shall see later in the course this artery is vitally important when the surgeon needs to remove a portion of large intestine due to pathological conditions like colorectal cancer.

Having viewed this screen-cast you should be able to:

1. Describe the blood supply to the jejunum and ileum via the arterial arcades
2. Name the specific branches of the superior mesenteric artery that supply the large intestine
3. Name the branches of the inferior mesenteric artery that supply the hindgut
4. Describe the formation and surgical importance of the marginal artery