Inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery

Looks like

The first branch of the superior mesenteric artery, running to the head of the pancreas.

What it does

Splits into front and back branches that join the superior pancreaticoduodenal arteries, linking the coeliac and mesenteric supplies.

Keeping it well

This arcade is a bypass when the coeliac trunk is narrowed; aneurysms can form in it then.

Related conditions

• Acute mesenteric ischaemia (gut stroke)
• Aortic aneurysm
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Hypothermia & frostbite
• Kawasaki disease
• Metabolic syndrome
• Orthostatic hypotension & POTS
• Peripheral artery disease
• Phaeochromocytoma & hyperaldosteronism
• Pre-eclampsia
• Raynaud's phenomenon
• Sepsis
• Shock (circulatory failure)
• Vasculitis (GCA & others)