Abdomen Anatomy · Vascular

Celiac Trunk Branches

The celiac trunk is the first major unpaired aortic branch (T12/L1), supplying the foregut via three principal branches.

✦ The Mnemonic

"Let Splenic Hepatics Branch"

Left gastric · Splenic · Common hepatic — the three celiac trunk branches

L Left Gastric Artery Smallest; runs along lesser curvature; anastomoses with right gastric

S Splenic Artery Largest; tortuous along superior pancreatic border; gives pancreatic + short gastric branches

H Common Hepatic Artery Divides into proper hepatic + gastroduodenal; proper hepatic → right + left hepatic

📚 Clinical Breakdown

The celiac trunk lies posterior to the median arcuate ligament. Median arcuate ligament syndrome: a low-lying ligament compresses the celiac trunk — postprandial angina and weight loss.

The gastroduodenal artery (from common hepatic) runs posterior to D1 — erosion by a posterior duodenal ulcer causes massive haemorrhage. Angiographic GDA embolisation is first-line management.

Hepatic artery variants are surgically critical: replaced right hepatic from SMA (25%); replaced left hepatic from left gastric (10%). These run in unexpected positions — pre-operative CT angiography is standard before liver surgery.

Three branches Left gastric, Splenic, Common hepatic

Largest branch Splenic artery

GDA runs posterior to First part of duodenum — posterior ulcer erosion

Foregut ends D1–D2 junction

⭐ Clinical Pearl

Splenic artery aneurysm is the most common visceral artery aneurysm — especially in multiparous women and portal hypertension. Rupture risk is highest in pregnancy. Aneurysms >2 cm or expanding warrant intervention.

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