The arterial blood supply of the duodenum is provided by the branches of the celiac trunk and the superior mesenteric artery. The duodenum is derived from both - the foregut (its first and second parts) and midgut (its third and fourth parts).

Therefore, the superior part and descending part of the duodenum until the major duodenal papilla are supplied by branches of the celiac trunk. In contrast, the duodenum distal to the major duodenal papilla, jejunum and ileum receive arterial blood from branches of the superior mesenteric artery. Overall, the blood supply of the duodenum is shared with the pancreas.

The main arterial blood supply to the duodenum is ensured by the following two anterior and two posterior pancreaticoduodenal arteries:

Anterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery and posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery - arise from the gastroduodenal artery (it is a branch of the common hepatic artery that arises from the celiac trunk); supply the superior and descending parts till the major duodenal papilla;
Anterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery and posterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery - branches of the superior mesenteric artery; they supply the remaining descending part, horizontal part and ascending part of the duodenum.

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Arterial blood supply