Overview

The artery runs behind the stomach and lesser sac, in the retroperitoneum along the upper border of the pancreas. The splenic vein lies below and behind it. Its winding course lets it stretch as the stomach and spleen move. It then passes forward in the splenorenal ligament to the hilum of the spleen, where it divides into about five segmental branches. These branches do not connect with each other (they are end arteries), so a blocked branch infarcts a wedge of spleen.

Anatomy

Branches: Pancreatic branches (the dorsal pancreatic, great pancreatic and caudal pancreatic arteries), short gastric arteries to the fundus (through the gastrosplenic ligament), the left gastro-omental (gastroepiploic) artery along the greater curvature, an inconstant posterior gastric artery, and the terminal splenic branches.

Function

Supplies the spleen, the body and tail of the pancreas, and the fundus and greater curvature of the stomach.

Clinical significance

Splenic artery aneurysm

The splenic artery is the commonest site of visceral (abdominal organ) artery aneurysms. They are more common in women, in pregnancy and in portal hypertension. Rupture during pregnancy has a high mortality, so many are treated when found.

Splenic infarction and trauma

Because its segmental branches are end arteries, emboli (for example in endocarditis) or sickle-cell disease cause wedge-shaped splenic infarcts. In splenic trauma, embolisation of the splenic artery can sometimes save the spleen.

Compiled from standard anatomy and physiology references — see the Cardiovascular System sources. For education only; not medical advice.