The celiac () artery (also spelled coeliac in British English), also known as the celiac trunk, Haller's tripod or truncus coeliacus, is the first major branch of the abdominal aorta. It is about 1.27 cm (half an inch) in length. Branching from the aorta at the level of the T12-L1 intervertebral disc in typical anatomy, it is one of three anterior/midline branches of the abdominal aorta (the others are the superior and inferior mesenteric arteries).
Structure
The celiac artery is the first major branch of the descending abdominal aorta, branching at a 90° angle. This occurs just below the crus of the diaphragm.
There are three main divisions of the celiac artery, and each in turn has its own named branches:
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! Artery !! Branches
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| left gastric artery This may cause abdominal pain. This may present no symptoms, but can cause pain due to restricted blood flow to the superior mesenteric artery.