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International Journal of Recent Trends in Science and Technology, ISSN 2277-2812 E-ISSN: 2249-8109

Volume 6, Issue 3, March 2013 pp 130-133

Research Article

Anatomical Variations in Coeliac Trunk and Its Branches

Sunita U. Sawant¹, Sunil M. Kolekar², N. Harichandana³

{¹Associate Professor of Anatomy, ²Associate Professor of  Physiology} Alluri Sitarama Raju Academy of Medical Sciences , Eluru,

Andhra Pradesh, INDIA.

³Lecturer of Anatomy, VijayaKrishna Nursing College, Visakhapatanam, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA.

Academic Editor : Dr. Aher K.R.

Coeliac trunk is the first anterior branch of abdominal aorta at the level of lower border of twelfth thoracic vertebra. Hepatic, splenic and left gastric arteries are the three main classic branches of coeliac trunk. The variations of the coeliac trunk are common but asymptomatic; they may become important during surgeries and in some radiological procedures. The aim of this study is to describe such variations. During routine dissection on adult cadavers in Anatomy department, we found some variations in the branching pattern of the coeliac trunk. The left gastric artery arises as first branch of coeliac trunk and then the trunk bifurcates into splenic and hepatic arteries. Right gastric artery is seen originating from the left hepatic artery. In addition, one right aberrant hepatic artery from superior mesenteric artery is seen entering into right lobe of liver. Left inferior phrenic artery and dorsal pancreatic artery are found originating from the coeliac trunk. Left gastric artery normally originates from the coeliac trunk, but in our study it is arising directly from the abdominal aorta. Knowledge of variations found in the present study will be very useful in surgical, oncologic or interventional procedures and can be kept in mind to avoid complications.