Griffiths point
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At the time the article was created Andrew Dixon had no recorded disclosures.
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View Daniel J Bell's current disclosures- Griffiths' point
- Griffiths' critical point
- Griffiths critical point
The Griffiths point, also known as Griffiths critical point, refers to the site of watershed anastomosis between the ascending left colic artery and the marginal artery of Drummond occurring in the region of the splenic flexure. Most anatomy texts describe the location as two-thirds along the transverse colon.
This represents an important collateral communication between the superior mesenteric and inferior mesenteric arteries upon which the splenic flexure and descending colon may be dependant.
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Radiographic features
Angiography (DSA)
Angiographic studies show that anastomosis at Griffiths point is present in 48%, poor or tenuous in 9%, and absent in 43% 1.
History and etymology
Griffiths point is named after the British vascular surgeon, JD Griffiths who described it in 1956 3,4.
Related pathology
This has relevance in radiology, as it explains why the splenic flexure watershed site is the most common location for ischemic colitis.
Quiz questions
References
- 1. Meyers MA. Griffiths' point: critical anastomosis at the splenic flexure. Significance in ischemia of the colon. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1976;126 (1): 77-94. AJR Am J Roentgenol (abstract) [pubmed citation]
- 2. Bakal CW. Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Principles and Practice. Thieme Medical Pub. (2002) ISBN:0865776784. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 3. DiPoce J, Jimenez G, Weintraub J. Historical perspective: eponyms of vascular radiology. (2014) Radiographics : a review publication of the Radiological Society of North America, Inc. 34 (4): 1120-40. doi:10.1148/rg.344130125 - Pubmed
- 4. Meyers MA. Griffiths' point: critical anastomosis at the splenic flexure. Significance in ischemia of the colon. (1976) AJR. American journal of roentgenology. 126 (1): 77-94. doi:10.2214/ajr.126.1.77 - Pubmed
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