The final bifurcation of the left colic artery

Abstract

We studied the marginal artery of the colon in the region of the final bifurcation of the left colic artery. Our investigations were carried out on 100 specimens of both sexes of different age. We used the method of dissection and contrast postmortal arteriography. The left colic artery was present in all of our cases. It arose more often as a direct branch from the inferior mesenteric artery (55%). The stem of the left colic artery, different in length (3-12 cm), was directed obliquely, upwards and to the left. It ended dividing into two branches at a variable distance from the gut wall (0.5-7 cm). These were mostly connected by a well developed arc (70%). In almost one fifth of the cases (18%), the ending bifurcation of the left colic artery had a 'T' shape. Not unfrequently (7%), ending branches of the left colic gave off particular branches to the gut wall, but these were also connected with each other forming a part of the continual marginal artery. Most rarely (5%) there was no grossly visible anastomosis between the branches of the left colic artery. Such a disposition results in the interruption of the marginal artery at this level (Griffiths' critical point), which may be followed by difficult consequences after resection and primary anastomosis of the bowel.