Quick Facts
Origin: Superior mesenteric artery.
Course: Passes anteriorly, recurring superiorly, between the layers of the transverse mesocolon.
Branches: Right and left branches.
Supplied Structures: Most of the transverse colon.
Origin
The middle colic artery emerges from the proximal part of the superior mesenteric artery, from its right side, just to the right of the midline.
Course
The middle colic artery passes anteriorly and superiorly, between the layers of the transverse mesocolon, towards the transverse colon.
Branches
Close to the transverse colon, the middle colic artery bifurcates into right and left branches.
Supplied Structures
The middle colic artery supplies most of the transverse colon. The right branch extends nearly to the right colic flexure, anastomosing with the ascending branch of the right colic artery. The left branch passes to the left to a point one half to two thirds of the length of the transverse colon where it anastomoses with the ascending branch of the left colic artery. In this way, it connects the superior and inferior mesenteric arteries, bridging between the mid- and hindgut, and continuing the anastomotic circle (of Drummond) of the large intestine.
