Intercolic anastomotic artery
Arteria anastomotica intercolica
- Synonym: Central anastomotic mesenteric artery
- Eponym: Arcade of Riolan; Arc of Riolan; Haller’s anastomosis; Meandering mesenteric artery of Moskowitz
Definition
The intercolic anastomotic artery (Arcade of Riolan) is an inconstant arterial anastomosis that connects the proximal superior mesenteric artery (SMA) or one of its primary branches (classically middle colic artery) to the proximal inferior mesenteric artery or one of its primary branches (classically left colic artery) forming a short loop that runs close to the root of the mesentery.
When it is present, the arc of Riolan is an important connection between the superior mesenteric artery and inferior mesenteric artery when arterial occlusion or significant stenosis.
As there is no official consensus on which anatomical structure the intercolic anastomotic artery precisely refers to, for some authors, the arcade of Riolan (intercolic anastomotic artery), would simply be a portion of the marginal artery of Drummond connecting the SMA's middle colic artery with the IMA's left colic artery, on the right side of the transverse colon and the upper descending colon.
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