Description
The pancreas receives its blood supply from both the celiac trunk and the superior mesenteric artery.
The head of the pancreas, and the adjacent duodenum are supplied by four arteries.
- The celiac trunk supplies two arteries, the anterior and posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal arteries, both of which arise from the gastroduodenal artery.
- The superior mesenteric artery supplies the anterior and posterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal arteries.
The anterior arteries supply the anterior aspect of the duodenum, head of the pancreas, uncinate process and anastomose to form the anterior pancreaticoduodenal arcade. Similarly, the posterior arteries supply the posterior aspect of the duodenum and head of the pancreas, as well as the distal end of the bile duct. The posterior arteries may also form a posterior pancreaticoduodenal arcade.
The body and tail of the pancreas are supplied by the several branches from the splenic artery, including the dorsal pancreatic, great pancreatic, and inferior pancreatic arteries and the artery to the tail of the pancreas.
