Great pancreatic artery
Arteria pancreatica magna
- Synonym: Greater pancreatic artery
- Related terms: Greater pancreatic artery
Definition
The great pancreatic artery (Greater pancreatic artery; Arteria pancreatica magna) is the largest of the pancreatic branches derived from the splenic artery. It arises approximately one half to two-thirds of the way along the course of the splenic artery, though its origin is variable.
Course: From its origin, it descends a short distance and then passes to the left, running along the posterior surface of the pancreas (or occasionally within the pancreatic parenchyma itself), closely following the course of the main pancreatic duct toward the tail of the pancreas.
Branches: It has no named branches, though it anastomoses with branches of the transverse (inferior) pancreatic artery within the pancreatic parenchyma.
Supplied structures: The left half of the body and the tail of the pancreas.
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