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Gastroduodenal artery

The gastroduodenal artery (GDA) is a major visceral artery that typically arises from the common hepatic artery, just before the common hepatic transitions into the proper hepatic artery. It descends posterior to the first part of the duodenum and anterior to the pancreatic head, where it gives rise to important branches supplying the stomach, duodenum, and pancreas.

The GDA is a crucial artery in the upper gastrointestinal region, forming extensive collateral circulation with the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) through the pancreaticoduodenal arcade. It is a key vessel in peptic ulcer disease (posterior duodenal ulcer bleeding) and is highly relevant in surgical procedures, liver transplantation, and interventional radiology.

Synonyms

  • GDA

  • Arteria gastroduodenalis

  • Hepatoduodenal artery branch

Function

  • Provides arterial blood supply to the proximal duodenum, pylorus of the stomach, and head of the pancreas

  • Contributes to the pancreaticoduodenal arterial arcade, linking the celiac trunk and SMA territories

  • Plays a role in collateral circulation in cases of celiac artery stenosis or occlusion

  • Clinical importance: source of severe upper GI bleeding in posterior duodenal ulcers

Branches

  • Right gastroepiploic artery → supplies the greater curvature of the stomach and omentum

  • Superior pancreaticoduodenal artery (anterior and posterior branches) → supply duodenum and pancreatic head

  • Small duodenal branches

MRI Appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Lumen appears as a signal void (black) due to fast arterial blood flow

  • Vessel wall shows as a thin hypointense rim, best seen in porta hepatis and peripancreatic region

T2-weighted images:

  • Flowing blood remains a signal void

  • Surrounding perivascular inflammation or tumor infiltration appears hyperintense

STIR (Short Tau Inversion Recovery):

  • Fat suppression improves visualization against peripancreatic fat

  • Pathological changes (e.g., vasculitis, inflammation, or edema) appear hyperintense near vessel course

T1 Post-Contrast (Gadolinium-enhanced):

  • GDA and branches enhance brightly and homogeneously

  • Essential for evaluating aneurysms, pseudoaneurysms, stenosis, or tumor encasement

  • Useful for mapping vascular supply before pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure)

MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiography):

  • Contrast-enhanced MRA provides high-resolution depiction of the origin, course, and branches

  • Demonstrates anatomical variations, aneurysm, pseudoaneurysm, or occlusion

  • 3D reconstruction allows surgical and interventional planning

CT Appearance

Non-contrast CT:

  • GDA appears as a tubular soft tissue density structure posterior to the duodenum and anterior to the pancreatic head

  • Occasionally visualized if calcified

CT Angiography (CTA):

  • Clearly depicts the origin from the common hepatic artery, its branches, and pancreaticoduodenal arcade

  • Gold standard for detecting aneurysm, pseudoaneurysm, active GI bleeding, tumor invasion, or variant anatomy

  • Multiplanar and 3D reconstructions are essential for pancreatic surgery and interventional radiology planning

MRI images

gastroduodenal artery anantomy MRI AXIAL image -img-00000-00000_00001

MRI images

gastroduodenal artery anantomy MRI CORONAL image -img-00000-00000

CT image

gastroduodenal artery anantomy CT axial image -img-00000-00000