Study on branching pattern of segmental branches of splenic artery in human cadaveric spleens by dissection method

Abstract

Spleen is the largest lymphoid organ. It is supplied by splenic artery the largest branch of coeliac trunk. It traverses through the lienorenal ligament to reach near the hilum of the spleen, where it divides into two or three primary branches, each of which is subdivided mostly into two or four secondary branches. Moreover, a superior polar arteries and inferior polar arteries are given from splenic trunk or from one of its primary branches, which goes to the poles of the spleen, without entering the hilum. It can be named as superior and inferior polar artery. The human spleen is divided accordingly into two or three main segments. The segments of spleen are separated by a definite avascular plane. Hence the partial removal of the spleen is possible, as the spleen is divided into segments, separated by fibrous septa and each segment is supplied by its own main artery. The present study was undertaken to study in detail the segmental branches of splenic artery which divide the spleen into various segments, its pattern of distribution and also to find out any inter-segmental arterial anastomosis by dissection method.1.To study segmental branches of splenic artery. 2. To study the anastomosis between the segmental branches. 3. To study the branching pattern of terminal division of splenic artery.The present study was conducted on 79 adult human cadaver spleens by dissection method, irrespective of their age and sex, fixed in 10% formalin solution, collected from the Department of Anatomy and Forensic Medicine, Mysore Medical College and Research Institute, Mysore. 1. Two primary segmental branches were seen in 56 (70.9%) specimens, three primary segmental branches were seen in 19 (24.1%) specimens and four primary segmental branches were seen in 4 (5.1%) specimens. 2. Superior polar artery was present in 18 (22.8%) specimens and inferior polar artery was present in 32 (40.5%) and both superior and inferior polar artery was seen in 5 (6.3%) specimens. 3. Anastomosis between the primary segmental branches were seen in 11(13.9%) specimens. 4. The distributive type of branching pattern of terminal division of splenic artery was present in 50 (63.3%) specimens, and the marginal type of branching pattern was present in 29 (36.7%) specimens.The present study adds up to the existing knowledge regarding the segmental branches of splenic artery, the better anatomical knowledge about segmental distribution of splenic artery and its variations are important for the partial removal of the spleen.