Parts of the artery may be removed in different types of hemicolectomy.
Structure
The middle colic artery supplies the superior/distal part of the ascending colon and right/proximal two-thirds of the transverse colon.[1]
Origin
The middle colic artery is a branch of the superior mesenteric artery, branching off from its right aspect. Its origin is situated just inferior the neck of the pancreas. It may share a common origin with the right colic artery.[2]
Course
The middle colic artery passes anterosuperiorly between the layers of the transverse mesocolon just right of the midline before dividing into left and right terminal branches.[2]
Branches and anastomoses
The anastomotic arches formed by the left and right branches of the middle colic artery are about two fingers' breadth from the transverse colon, to which they distribute branches.[3]
The sequence of anastomoses of the branches of the middle colic artery constitutes part of the marginal artery of the colon.[1]
The middle colic artery may occasionally divide into 3 or more branches (in which case the two lateral-most branches are the ones forming the anastomoses).[2]
Clinical significance
In a right hemicolectomy to remove the caecum and the ascending colon, the right branch of the middle colic artery is ligated and removed.[1][6] In a transverse hemicolectomy, the entire middle colic artery may need to be ligated and removed.[6]
