GI Blood Supply and Innervation

Question 1

Foregut

Answer 1

Artery: Celiac
Parasympathetic innervation: Vagus
Vertebral level: T12/L1
Structures supplied: pharynx (vagus nerve only) and lower esophagus (celiac artery only) to proximal duodenum; liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen (mesoderm)

Question 2

Midgut

Answer 2

Artery: SMA
Parasympathetic innervation: Vagus
Vertebral level: L1
Structures supplied: Distal duodenum to proximal 2/3 transverse colon

Question 3

Hindgut

Answer 3

Artery: IMA
Parasympathetic Innervation: Pelvic
Vertebral level: L3
Structures supplied: Distal 1/3 of transverse colon to upper portion of rectum; splenic flexure is watershed region between SMA and IMA