Which does not supply blood to the GI tract? a. Superior mesenteric artery b. Celiac trunk c. Hepatic artery d. Inferior mesenteric artery e. No exceptions; all of these arteries supply blood to the GI tract.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is c. Hepatic artery.
The superior mesenteric artery, celiac trunk, and inferior mesenteric artery are all major arteries that supply blood to different parts of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. However, the hepatic artery does not primarily supply the GI tract but instead supplies the liver, gallbladder, and part of the pancreas.
Here’s an explanation of the role of each artery in relation to the GI tract:
- Superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA): This artery arises from the abdominal aorta and supplies the majority of the small intestine, including the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. It also supplies the cecum, appendix, ascending colon, and the first two-thirds of the transverse colon.
- Celiac Trunk: The celiac trunk is another major branch of the abdominal aorta. It provides blood to the stomach, liver, spleen, and part of the pancreas. The celiac trunk branches into three main arteries: the left gastric artery, common hepatic artery, and splenic artery. Although it does supply the stomach, liver, and pancreas, it is still involved in supplying certain parts of the GI tract.
- Inferior Mesenteric Artery (IMA): The inferior mesenteric artery supplies blood to the distal one-third of the transverse colon, the descending colon, the sigmoid colon, and the rectum.
- Hepatic Artery: The hepatic artery primarily supplies blood to the liver, gallbladder, and part of the pancreas. While the common hepatic artery is a branch of the celiac trunk, its main purpose is not to supply the GI tract but rather the liver. The liver plays a crucial role in processing nutrients absorbed from the GI tract, but the hepatic artery itself does not directly supply blood to the digestive system.
Therefore, the hepatic artery does not directly supply blood to the GI tract, making it the correct answer in this case.