Corpus: Left colic artery
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1. Definition
The left colic artery is the first major branch of the inferior mesenteric artery.
2. Course
The left colic artery runs retroperitoneally along the psoas major muscle and then divides into an ascending branch and a descending branch. The main artery or its branches cross beneath the left ureter.
The ascending branch passes along the anterior surface of the left kidney and forms anastomoses with the middle colic artery in the transverse mesocolon via the Riolan and Drummond anastomoses. The descending branch anastomoses with the sigmoid artery. Numerous smaller branches originating from these anastomoses supply the descending colon and the left side of the transverse colon.