Celiac trunk
Celiac Trunk
The Celiac Trunk (pronounced: see-lee-ak trunk), also known as Celiac Artery, is a major branch of the Abdominal Aorta that supplies oxygenated blood to the stomach, liver, spleen, and parts of the esophagus and duodenum.
Etymology
The term "Celiac" is derived from the Greek word "koiliakos," meaning "belonging to the belly." The term "Trunk" refers to the main part of an organ or structure.
Anatomy
The Celiac Trunk is the first major branch of the Abdominal Aorta and is about 1.25 cm in length. It originates just below the Diaphragm and divides into three main branches: the Left Gastric Artery, the Common Hepatic Artery, and the Splenic Artery.
Left Gastric Artery
The Left Gastric Artery is the smallest branch of the Celiac Trunk. It supplies blood to the lesser curvature of the stomach and the lower part of the esophagus.
Common Hepatic Artery
The Common Hepatic Artery is a branch of the Celiac Trunk that supplies blood to the liver, gallbladder, stomach, and duodenum.
Splenic Artery
The Splenic Artery is the largest branch of the Celiac Trunk. It supplies blood to the spleen, pancreas, and the greater curvature of the stomach.
Clinical Significance
The Celiac Trunk is an important structure in the diagnosis and treatment of various abdominal diseases. For example, in Celiac Disease, an autoimmune disorder, the body's immune system attacks the small intestine when gluten is ingested. This can lead to malabsorption of nutrients, which can affect the organs supplied by the Celiac Trunk.
Related Terms
This WikiMD.org article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.