Which organs are supplied by both the celiac trunk and the superior mesenteric artery?

• A. Duodenum, Pancreas
• B. Stomach, Liver
• C. Esophagus, Stomach
• D. Jejunum, Ileum

Answer: (A)

Blood supply to the gut can come from more than one major trunk, with some organs getting arterial blood from both the foregut and midgut arteries through arterial connections. The duodenum and the pancreas are classic examples: the foregut branch from the celiac trunk—the gastroduodenal artery—gives rise to the superior pancreaticoduodenal arteries that feed the proximal duodenum and the head of the pancreas. The midgut branch, the superior mesenteric artery, provides the inferior pancreaticoduodenal arteries that supply the lower part of the duodenum and continue to the pancreas head via pancreaticoduodenal arcades. This shared blood supply makes these organs nourished by both trunks. The stomach and liver are mainly supplied by celiac trunk branches, the jejunum and ileum by SMA branches, and the esophagus has other dominant sources, so they don’t share dual supply with the celiac trunk.