Ileal artery

Looks like

Numerous branches from the superior mesenteric artery fanning through the mesentery to the ileum, forming loops (arcades).

What it does

Supply the last part of the small bowel.

Keeping it well

Blockage of the parent artery causes gut ischaemia: severe belly pain out of proportion to a soft belly is an emergency.

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)