Inferior mesenteric artery

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The inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) is an anterior branch of the abdominal aorta that supplies the hindgut. It is the smallest of the three anterior branches of the abdominal aorta.

Gross Anatomyanatomy

Location

within the mesentery of the hindgut

Origin

unpaired vessel from the anterior aspect of the abdominal aorta at L3 level

Course

Initially, the IMA descends anteriorly to the aorta and then passes to the left as it continues inferiorly.

Branches

left colic artery
two to four sigmoid arteries
superior rectal artery (terminal branch)

Supply

splenic flexure of large bowel to the upper two thirds of the rectum

Relations

anterior: third part of the duodenum
posterior: abdominal aorta, left psoas, sympathetic trunk, left common iliac artery, hypogastric nerve
lateral (left): inferior mesenteric vein

The the left colic and sigmoid branches of the IMA cross anterior to the ureter.

Variant anatomy

doubled IMA
absent IMA
common trunks (e.g. left colic and rectosigmoid, rectal and colosigmoid)
absent left colic branch
Arc of Riolan (SMA/IMA connection)

-<p>The <strong>inferior mesenteric artery (IMA)</strong> is an anterior branch of the <a href="/articles/abdominal-aorta-1">abdominal aorta </a>that supplies the hindgut. It is the smallest of the three anterior branches of the abdominal aorta.</p><h4>Gross Anatomy</h4><h5>Location</h5><ul><li>within the mesentery of the hindgut</li></ul><h5>Origin</h5><ul><li>unpaired vessel from the anterior aspect of the <a href="/articles/abdominal-aorta-1">abdominal aorta</a> at L3 level</li></ul><h5>Course</h5><p>Initially, the IMA descends anteriorly to the aorta and then passes to the left as it continues inferiorly.</p><h5>Branches</h5><ul>
+<p>The <strong>inferior mesenteric artery (IMA)</strong> is an anterior branch of the <a href="/articles/abdominal-aorta-1">abdominal aorta </a>that supplies the hindgut. It is the smallest of the three anterior branches of the abdominal aorta.</p><h4>Gross anatomy</h4><h5>Location</h5><ul><li>within the mesentery of the hindgut</li></ul><h5>Origin</h5><ul><li>unpaired vessel from the anterior aspect of the <a href="/articles/abdominal-aorta-1">abdominal aorta</a> at L3 level</li></ul><h5>Course</h5><p>Initially, the IMA descends anteriorly to the aorta and then passes to the left as it continues inferiorly.</p><h5>Branches</h5><ul>

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