Anatomy

Inferior Mesenteric Artery

The artery supplying nearly all the left half of the transverse colon, the whole of the descending colon, the sigmoid colon, and the greater part of the rectum. It is smaller than the superior mesenteric artery (MESENTERIC ARTERY, SUPERIOR) and arises from the aorta above its bifurcation into the common iliac arteries.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

The artery supplying nearly all the left half of the transverse colon, the whole of the descending colon, the sigmoid colon, and the greater part of the rectum. It is smaller than the superior mesenteric artery (MESENTERIC ARTERY, SUPERIOR) and arises from the aorta above its bifurcation into the common iliac arteries.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

5 entry terms
  • Mesenteric Artery, Inferior
  • Arteries, Inferior Mesenteric
  • Artery, Inferior Mesenteric
  • Inferior Mesenteric Arteries
  • Mesenteric Arteries, Inferior

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

23 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings abnormalities, anatomy & histology, chemistry, cytology, diagnostic imaging, drug effects, embryology, enzymology, growth & development, immunology, injuries, innervation, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, pathology, physiology, physiopathology, radiation effects, surgery, transplantation, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

disease is usually MESENTERIC VASCULAR OCCLUSION but coord IM with MESENTERIC ARTERY, INFERIOR (NIM); embolism or thrombosis: coord NIM with MESENTERIC VASCULAR OCCLUSION (IM) + EMBOLISM or THROMBOSIS (IM)

MeSH Record

History Note

93

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Mesenteric Arteries (1966-1992)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Inferior Mesenteric Artery. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D017537. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D017537
  2. Inferior Mesenteric Artery. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inferior_mesenteric_artery
  3. Inferior Mesenteric Artery. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q707384