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Jejunal arteries

The jejunal arteries are multiple branches of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) that supply the jejunum, the proximal portion of the small intestine. Typically, there are 4–6 jejunal arteries, arising from the left side of the SMA in the upper abdomen. They pass through the mesentery toward the jejunum, forming a series of arterial arcades, from which straight vessels (vasa recta) arise to supply the intestinal wall.

Compared with the ileal arteries, the jejunal arteries form fewer arcades but longer vasa recta, providing a rich and efficient blood supply. This vascular pattern contributes to the jejunum’s characteristic tall circular folds and thicker wall.

Clinically, jejunal arteries are significant in mesenteric ischemia, small bowel resections, anastomotic planning, and gastrointestinal bleeding. Their predictable but variant anatomy makes them important landmarks in surgery and interventional radiology.

Synonyms

  • Jejunal branches of SMA

  • Arteriae jejunales

Function

  • Provide the arterial blood supply to the jejunum

  • Form arcades and vasa recta for efficient nutrient absorption support

  • Contribute to mesenteric collateral circulation with ileal and colic branches

MRI Appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Jejunal arteries appear as thin linear flow voids (black lumina) within mesenteric fat

  • Surrounded by hyperintense fat planes, improving vessel conspicuity

T2-weighted images:

  • Arteries maintain dark signal voids

  • Pathologies such as thrombosis appear as intermediate-to-high intraluminal signal

STIR:

  • Fat suppression highlights arteries against mesenteric background

  • Perivascular inflammation, edema, or mesenteric panniculitis appear hyperintense

T1 Fat-Saturated (Pre-contrast):

  • Lumen may show intermediate signal intensity

  • Stands out against suppressed mesenteric fat, useful for vessel identification

T1 Fat-Saturated Post-Contrast (Gadolinium):

  • Jejunal arteries enhance brightly and homogeneously, delineating arcades and vasa recta

  • Useful for detecting stenosis, aneurysms, or neovascularization

MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiography):

  • Excellent for showing origin from SMA, branching into arcades, and vasa recta supply

  • Detects ischemia, vascular malformations, aneurysms, or active bleeding

  • Provides 3D reconstructions for surgical or interventional planning

CT Appearance

CT Pre-Contrast:

  • Arteries appear as soft-tissue linear densities in mesenteric fat

  • Rarely diagnostic without contrast, but may reveal vascular calcifications

CT Post-Contrast:

  • Arteries opacify brightly, visualizing origin from SMA and mesenteric course

  • Identifies mural thickening, ischemia, or hemorrhage in adjacent jejunum

CT Angiography (CTA):

  • Gold standard for jejunal arterial anatomy

  • Shows number of jejunal arteries, arcade formation, and vasa recta branching

  • Detects occlusion, stenosis, dissection, aneurysm, or active GI bleeding

  • 3D reconstructions aid in surgical mapping, resection planning, and interventional radiology

MRI images

Jejunal arteries MRI coronal anatomy image -img-00000-00000

MRI images

Jejunal arteries MRI coronal anatomy image -img-00000-00000_00001

CT images

Jejunal arteries CT axial anatomy image -img-00000-00000

CT images

Jejunal arteries CT axial anatomy image -img-00000-00000_00001

CT images

Jejunal arteries ct axial image