Corpus: Ileocolic artery

The ileocolic artery is the most caudal branch of the superior mesenteric artery.

The ileocolic artery runs within the mesentery of the ileum, heading caudally and to the right, towards the right iliac fossa. At this point, the vessel divides into:

• A colic branch (superior branch) that runs to the right, and
• an ileal branch (inferior branch) that runs to the left.

Additional smaller branches arise between these branches. The colic branch forms an anastomosis with the right colic artery, and the ileal branch connects with the inferior ileal artery.

• Colic branch: supplies the ascending colon
• Ileal branch: supplies the terminal ileum
• Anterior cecal artery: supplies the cecum
• Posterior cecal artery: supplies the cecum
• Appendicular artery: supplies the appendix

The ileocolic artery provides blood to the ascending colon, terminal ileum, cecum, and appendix.