Lecture Notes: Celiac Trunk Anatomy

Overview of the Abdominal Aorta and Celiac Trunk

• Abdominal Aorta: Main blood vessel descending through the abdomen.
• Celiac Trunk: First major exit point from the abdominal aorta at vertebral level T12.

Major Arteries of the Celiac Trunk

1. Common Hepatic Artery
   • Branches into:
     • Proper Hepatic Artery
       • Left Hepatic Artery
       • Right Hepatic Artery: Gives rise to the Cystic Artery (supplying the gallbladder).
     • Gastroduodenal Artery
2. Left Gastric Artery (LGA)
   • Branches into esophageal branches.
3. Splenic Artery
   • Branches into:
     • Short Gastric Arteries
     • Left Gastroepiploic Artery

Anastomoses and Clinical Significance

• Anastomosis Definition: A connection between different blood vessels.

Key Anastomoses

1. Right Gastroepiploic (from Gastroduodenal) and Left Gastroepiploic (from Splenic)
   • Important in peptic ulcer disease due to potential for bleeding.
2. Right Gastric (from Common Hepatic) and Left Gastric

Additional Key Points

• Gastroduodenal Artery: Gives rise to the Right Gastroepiploic.
• Superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA)
  • Superior Pancreaticoduodenal Artery connects with Inferior Pancreaticoduodenal Artery from SMA.
  • Provides collateral blood flow in case of celiac trunk occlusion.

Clinical Relevance

• Understanding these anastomoses is crucial for surgeries and conditions involving the abdominal arteries.
• Potential USMLE and COMLEX topics include blood supply issues to abdominal organs due to occlusions or bleeding.

Study Tips

• Repeatedly watch and draw out artery branches.
• Focus on anastomoses and their clinical impacts.
• Know which arteries supply which organs and the implications of their occlusion or rupture.

Note: This summary is based on a lecture video intended to aid in USMLE and COMLEX preparation. Supporting materials may be available on the presenter's Patreon page.