[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Abdomen](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/abdomen/) › Gastroduodenal artery [Cardiovascular system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/cardiovascular-system/) · [Abdomen](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/abdomen/) # Gastroduodenal artery The gastroduodenal artery runs down behind the first part of the duodenum to feed it and the pancreas; an ulcer there can erode it and bleed heavily. [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=abdomen&select=gastroduodenal_artery&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is A branch of the common hepatic artery running down behind the first part of the duodenum. ## What it does Supplies the pylorus, the duodenum and the head of the pancreas. ## Key points - Descends between the back of the first part of the duodenum and the front of the pancreas, just to the left of the common bile duct - Its pancreaticoduodenal branches join the inferior pancreaticoduodenal arteries from the [superior mesenteric artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superior-mesenteric-artery/) in arcades around the pancreatic head: the main celiac–SMA collateral - Ends at the lower border of the first part of the duodenum by dividing into the right gastro-omental and anterior superior pancreaticoduodenal arteries ## Key facts **Origin** Common hepatic artery; descends behind the first part of the duodenum **Branches** Right gastroepiploic artery; superior pancreaticoduodenal arteries (anterior and posterior); supraduodenal branches **Supplies** First part of duodenum, pancreatic head, greater curvature of [stomach](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/stomach/); eroded by a posterior duodenal ulcer (major bleeding) ## Relations **Course** Leaves the [common hepatic artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/common-hepatic-artery/) above the first part of the [duodenum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/duodenum/) and runs down behind it, on the front of the neck and head of the [pancreas](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pancreas/), to its lower border **In front** Posterior wall of the first part of the duodenum and the pylorus **Behind** Neck of the pancreas and, deeper, the [portal vein](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/hepatic-portal-vein/) **Lateral** [Common bile duct](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/bile-duct/), to its right, with the posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery spiralling around the duct ## How to find it Found at the upper edge of the first part of the duodenum, where the common hepatic artery divides; it then runs down behind the duodenal bulb and in front of the neck of the pancreas. At endoscopy it lies just behind the posterior wall of the bulb, the reason a deep ulcer there bleeds from it. ## On imaging On CT it is a small bright vessel on the front of the pancreas that marks the junction of [head and neck](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/head-and-neck/). In a bleeding ulcer not controlled at endoscopy, angiography can show contrast leaking from it and allow embolization. ## Common problems - A posterior duodenal ulcer can erode into it and cause major bleeding (vomiting blood, black stools). ## How it is diagnosed Ultrasound screening; CT. ## Treatment - Monitoring of small aneurysms; repair with a stent-graft through the groin arteries or open surgery for large ones. ## Clinical notes - Bleeding posterior duodenal ulcer: when endoscopy fails, the artery is embolized, or the duodenum is opened and the vessel under-run with stitches above, below and medially (the last for its transverse pancreatic branch) - Tied in a pancreatoduodenectomy; its stump can form a pseudoaneurysm and bleed late, especially after a pancreatic leak - Pancreatitis can erode it into a pseudoaneurysm, a cause of sudden bleeding into the gut or into a pseudocyst ## Related conditions - [Peptic ulcer disease](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/peptic-ulcer-disease/) - [Upper gastrointestinal bleeding](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/upper-gastrointestinal-bleeding/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Where does the gastroduodenal artery arise and run? From the common hepatic artery; it runs down behind the first part of the duodenum, on the front of the pancreatic neck and head, just left of the common bile duct. ## What are the terminal branches of the gastroduodenal artery? The right gastro-omental (gastroepiploic) and anterior superior pancreaticoduodenal arteries, at the lower border of the first part of the duodenum. ## Which ulcer erodes the gastroduodenal artery, and how is the bleeding controlled if endoscopy fails? A posterior duodenal ulcer; the artery is embolized, or the duodenum is opened and the vessel under-run with stitches above, below and medially. ## Why is the gastroduodenal artery an important collateral? Its pancreaticoduodenal branches join the inferior pancreaticoduodenal arteries from the superior mesenteric artery around the pancreatic head: the main celiac–SMA link. [Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/gastroduodenal-artery/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** arteria gastroduodenalis TA2 4215 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Arteria gastroduodenal **English (TA2)** Gastroduodenal artery ## Related - [Duodenum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/duodenum/) - [Pancreas](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pancreas/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis: Celiac Trunk](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459241/); Anatomy of the Human Body (20th ed.): The Abdominal Aorta (Lea & Febiger (Gray's Anatomy, 1918), 1918) · adapted, Public domain. ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/gastroduodenal-artery/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/gastroduodenal-artery/