Plexus on the Middle Colic, Right Colic, and Ileocolic Arteries, Anterior View

Description

Anteriorly, the large intestine is presented with the ascending colon on the subject’s right, transverse colon superiorly, descending colon on the left, and sigmoid colon inferiorly, with haustra and the taeniae coli tracing the longitudinal contours. From the superior mesenteric axis, the middle colic artery courses within the transverse mesocolon toward the midline, while the right colic and ileocolic arteries descend and run laterally toward the hepatic flexure, ascending colon, cecum, and terminal ileum. A perivascular autonomic plexus (yellow) invests these arterial trunks and follows their branches distally, maintaining a close relationship to accompanying veins (blue) and the mesenteric border of the bowel. The vermiform appendix projects from the cecum in the right iliac fossa. Periarterial plexuses around the middle colic, right colic, and ileocolic arteries are a practical map of midgut innervation, carrying sympathetic fibers from the superior mesenteric plexus and parasympathetic supply via the vagus to the proximal two thirds of the transverse colon. This is the territory implicated during right hemicolectomy and extended right colectomy, when high ligation at the ileocolic and right colic pedicles risks denervation-related dysmotility and intersects lymphovascular planes used in complete mesocolic excision. Collateral pathways along the marginal artery of Drummond, and when present the arc of Riolan, matter here. They determine perfusion when the middle colic or right colic is divided. Use this plate for gross anatomy teaching of the midgut hindgut transition, surgical education on mesocolic planes and central vascular ligation, and figures for colorectal oncology or ischemic colitis publications that require clear arterial, venous, and neural relationships on an anterior view of a male abdomen. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.