Vascular Anatomy of the Spleen

the splenic artery is a branch of the

celiac trunk

the celiac trunk may also be referred to as

the celiac artery or celiac axis

from the trunk, the splenic artery courses

laterally toward the spleen

the splenic artery marks the — of the pancreatic body and tail

superior border

the splenic artery enters the spleen at the

splenic hilum superior and anterior to the splenic vein

the splenic vein exits the spleen and travels along the

posterior border of the pancreatic tail and body

the splenic vein joins the — posterior to the pancreatic neck to form the —

SMV; portal vein

the splenic artery can be confused for the — in some patients because it takes a similar course in the body

main pancreatic duct