Celiacomesenteric trunk – A not so common variation

The Coeliac trunk is the first ventral branch of the abdominal aorta and is the artery of the foregut, which supplies the derivatives of the foregut i.e., oesophagus, stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and the second part of the duodenum, up to the level of the opening of the major duodenal papilla. The superior mesenteric artery is the next branch of the abdominal aorta, which arises most commonly at the level of the first lumbar vertebra and supplies embryonic derivatives of the midgut i.e., from the second part of the duodenum (below the level of major duodenal papilla) to the proximal two-thirds of the transverse colon. Sometimes coeliac trunk and superior mesenteric artery arise as a common celiacomesenteric trunk. The embryological basis of celiacomesenteric trunk is discussed in the current case report. Also, the clinical significance of celiacomesenteric trunk in various conditions is described. During complex interventional procedures, this type of variation must be looked at carefully in radiological images to reduce the chances of postoperative complications.