Re-evaluation of the colic irrigation from the superior mesenteric artery.

156 abdominal preparations were explored by arteriography, corrosion and dissection. The ileocolic artery is the most constant collateral of the superior mesenteric artery. It provides a ramus colicus which is often confused with a true arteria colica dextra. The a. colica dextra, arising on the superior mesenteric artery, is found in only 13% of the abdominal preparations. The PNA 'a. colica media' covers a system of individually varying vessels: a. colica media, common stem of r. anguli coli and r. coli transversi; a. anguli coli, a. coli transversi; a. colica sinistra accessoria and a. coli transversi accessoria. Both mesenteric arteries may be linked by a intermesenteric arch (12%).