Middle colic artery

The middle colic artery (Latin: arteria colica media) is the first of the branches arising on the right side of the superior mesenteric artery. It supplies the proximal two-thirds of the transverse colon. This artery arises as the superior mesenteric artery emerges from beneath the pancreas. The middle colic artery then enters the transverse mesocolon and divides into its right and left branches.

The right branch of the middle colic artery anastomoses with the right colic artery, another (inconsistent) branch of the superior mesenteric artery. The left branch of the middle colic artery, on the other hand, anastomoses with the left colic artery, which arises from the inferior mesenteric artery.