Marginal colic artery

Looks like

The right-sided part of the continuous arterial chain running along the inner edge of the colon.

What it does

Links the colic arteries so each part of the colon has a backup supply.

Keeping it well

Its continuity lets surgeons tie off a colic artery safely; weak spots can let a colon section starve.

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)