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Celiac trunk

The celiac trunk (also called the celiac artery) is a short, thick arterial trunk arising from the abdominal aorta at the level of T12, just below the aortic hiatus of the diaphragm. It is typically 1.5–2 cm in length before dividing into its three classic branches: the left gastric artery, splenic artery, and common hepatic artery.

The celiac trunk is the first major ventral branch of the abdominal aorta and is the principal arterial supply to the foregut structures, including the stomach, proximal duodenum, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and spleen. Its branches form extensive anastomoses with the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and inferior phrenic arteries, providing important collateral pathways.

Anatomical variations of the celiac trunk are common and clinically relevant, including celiacomesenteric trunk, hepatosplenic trunk, and accessory hepatic arteries. This artery is of major importance in surgery, interventional radiology, liver transplantation, and abdominal oncology.

Synonyms

  • Celiac artery

  • Truncus coeliacus

  • Celiac axis

Function

  • Provides oxygenated blood to the foregut and its derivatives: stomach, duodenum (proximal to major duodenal papilla), liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, and esophagus (abdominal portion)

  • Establishes collateral circulation with SMA and inferior phrenic arteries

  • Plays a central role in digestive organ perfusion and metabolic regulation

Branches

  • Left gastric artery → supplies stomach and lower esophagus

  • Splenic artery → supplies spleen, pancreas, and stomach (via short gastric and left gastroepiploic arteries)

  • Common hepatic artery → gives rise to right and left hepatic arteries, gastroduodenal artery, and right gastric artery

MRI Appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Celiac trunk appears as a linear flow void (black lumen) arising from the abdominal aorta

  • Surrounded by hyperintense fat, aiding identification

T2-weighted images:

  • Lumen is dark (flow void)

  • Pathology such as thrombosis or aneurysm may show altered signal characteristics

STIR:

  • Suppresses fat, highlighting perivascular inflammation or edema as hyperintense regions

  • Useful for detecting vasculitis, compression, or periarterial pathology

T1 Fat-Saturated (Pre-contrast):

  • Lumen shows intermediate signal, standing out against suppressed fat planes of the retroperitoneum

  • Useful for identifying artery course before contrast

T1 Fat-Saturated Post-Contrast (Gadolinium):

  • Celiac trunk and its branches enhance brightly and homogeneously

  • Demonstrates branching pattern, variations, and vascular pathology such as stenosis, aneurysm, or neoplastic encasement

MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiography):

  • Provides detailed mapping of the celiac origin, branching, and anatomical variants

  • Essential for preoperative planning (e.g., liver transplant, pancreatic surgery)

  • Detects stenosis, aneurysms, dissection, and median arcuate ligament compression

CT Appearance

CT Pre-Contrast:

  • Celiac trunk appears as a soft-tissue density vessel anterior to the aorta

  • Calcified plaques or mural thrombus may be seen in atherosclerosis

CT Post-Contrast:

  • Artery enhances brightly, with clear visualization of its trifurcation

  • Helps assess vessel wall changes, aneurysms, and perivascular pathology

CT Angiography (CTA):

  • Gold standard for evaluating celiac trunk and branches

  • Provides high-resolution multiplanar and 3D reconstructions of origin, branching patterns, and variants

  • Essential in planning hepatobiliary surgery, liver transplantation, pancreatic resections, and endovascular interventions

  • Detects stenosis (e.g., median arcuate ligament syndrome), aneurysms, dissections, and tumor encasement

MRI image

Celiac trunk anantomy MRI AXIAL image -img-00000-00000

CT images

Celiac trunk anantomy ct AXIAL image -img-00000-00000

CT images

Celiac trunk ct axial