| Left colic artery | |
|---|---|
 The inferior mesenteric artery and its branches. (Left colic visible at center right.) | |
 Sigmoid colon and rectum, showing distribution of branches of inferior mesenteric artery and their anastomoses. (Left colic visible at center left.) | |
| Details | |
| Source | inferior mesenteric |
| Vein | left colic vein |
| Supplies | descending colon |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | arteria colica sinistra |
| TA98 | A12.2.12.071 |
| TA2 | 4292 |
| FMA | 14826 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
The left colic artery is a branch of the inferior mesenteric artery distributed to the descending colon, and left part of the transverse colon. It ends by dividing into an ascending branch and a descending branch;[1] the terminal branches of the two branches go on to form anastomoses with the middle colic artery, and a sigmoid artery (respectively).[2]: 1196
The left colic artery usually represents the dominant arterial supply to the left colic flexure.[2]: 1196
The left colic artery passes to the left posterior to the peritoneum. After a short but variable course, it divides into an ascending branch and a descending branch.[1]
The ascending branch passes superior-ward. It passes anterior to the (ipsilateral) psoas major muscle, gonadal vessels, ureter, and kidney; it passes posterior to the inferior mesenteric vein. Its terminal branches form anastomoses with those of the middle colic artery; it also forms anastomoses with the descending branch (of the left colic artery).[2]: 1196
The descending branch passes inferolaterally.[2]: 1196 It forms anastomoses with the superior-most sigmoid artery[1] as well as the ascending branch (of the left colic artery), thereby participating in the formation of the marginal artery of the colon.[2]: 1196
The left colic artery may have a common origin with a sigmoid artery, or may arise by branching of from a sigmoid artery. Occasionally, the left colic artery may arise from either the superior mesenteric artery, the middle colic artery, or the proximal-most jejunal artery; rarely, an accessory left colic artery may arise from the aforementioned arteries. An accessory left colic artery may also arise from the left colic artery itself.[2]: 1196
The left colic artery may be ligated during abdominal surgery to remove colorectal cancer.[3] This may have poorer outcomes than preserving the artery.[3]
