Colic branch of ileocolic artery
Ramus colicus arteriae ileocolicae
The upward branch of the ileocolic artery that climbs on the beginning of the ascending colon to join the right colic artery.
At a glance
- English
- Colic branch of ileocolic artery
- Latin (TA2)
- Ramus colicus arteriae ileocolicae
- System
- Artery
- Region
- Trunk
- Side
- Single, on the midline
About the colic branch of ileocolic artery
The ileocolic artery is the last branch from the right side of the superior mesenteric artery. As it nears the ileocaecal junction it divides into a superior and an inferior part. The colic branch is the upper of these: it turns upwards to supply the first part of the ascending colon, while the lower part gives the caecal, appendicular and ileal branches.
From the point of division the colic branch runs upwards on the medial side of the ascending colon, behind the peritoneum of the posterior abdominal wall, in front of the right ureter. It sends short straight vessels into the colonic wall along the way. Its upper end joins a descending branch of the right colic artery, or of the middle colic artery when the right colic is absent, and so forms the lowest link of the marginal artery on the right side of the colon.
The rest of the ileocolic system complements it. The anterior and posterior caecal arteries pass in front of and behind the caecum, the appendicular artery runs in the mesoappendix to the appendix, and the ileal branch turns back along the terminal ileum to meet the last ileal branches of the superior mesenteric artery. Together these vessels supply the ileocaecal region in a closely linked network.
Because the colic branch forms part of the marginal artery, it is one of the vessels divided in a right hemicolectomy, which removes the caecum and ascending colon with their blood supply and lymph nodes for cancer. Surgeons tie the ileocolic artery close to its origin to clear the nodes that lie along it, and the colic branch is taken with the specimen.
Course and supply
- Arises from
- Arises from the ileocolic artery, as the upper of its two divisions near the ileocaecal junction.
- Ends in
- Ends by joining a descending branch of the right colic artery (or the middle colic artery), forming part of the marginal artery.
- Supplies
- Supplies the lower part of the ascending colon near the caecum.
Anthromica
See the colic branch of ileocolic artery where it really sits, with every layer of the body around it.
- Every layer, one body. Peel from muscle to bone, nerve, vessel and organ, and turn it any way.
- English and Latin. Every structure named the way your exam names it.
- Quiz until it sticks. Short drills on the structures you keep missing.
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