Splenic artery

The splenic artery is the largest and most tortuous branch of the celiac trunk, typically originating from the celiac trunk in over 97% of cases, though rare origins from the abdominal aorta or other vessels have been documented. After its origin, the artery courses to the left along the superior border of the pancreas, displaying significant tortuosity, especially in adults, and may follow a suprapancreatic (most common), retropancreatic, anteropancreatic, or intrapancreatic route. [1-4]

The artery gives off several branches along its course, including pancreatic branches, short gastric arteries, and the left gastroepiploic artery. The posterior gastric artery may arise from the mid-portion of the splenic artery in up to 45% of males and 40% of females.[4]

At the splenic hilum, the artery typically divides into two (superior and inferior) or three lobar branches, which further subdivide into segmental and then lobular branches supplying the spleen. Bifurcation into two lobar arteries is most common (over 80%), but trifurcation and quadrifurcation also occur.[2][4-5] Superior and inferior polar arteries are present in a significant proportion of cases, arising from the main trunk or its branches, and supply the poles of the spleen.[2][5-6]