title: A mixed-type intermesenteric trunk as a major contributor to the ascending, transverse, and descending colons: a case report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We present a case in which a mixed-type intermesenteric trunk was the major arterial supply for the ascending, transverse, and descending colons.
  
  
  METHODS
  We dissected a cadaver of a man aged 74 years that was used for a routine abdominal dissection course of 2nd year medical students.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We observed that a mixed-type intermesenteric trunk supplied the majority of the colon, originating from the inferior mesenteric artery. The vessel was non-tortuous and had a counter clockwise course. It gave branches that supply the marginal artery at the splenic and hepatic flexures and at the transverse colon and finally it anastomosed with the ileocolic artery at the ileocecal junction. Through the intermesenteric trunk, the inferior mesenteric artery supplied the descending, transverse, and ascending colons with contributions from the sigmoidal and ileocolic arteries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The intermesenteric trunk is an important central connection between the superior and inferior mesenteric arteries. It probably is an embryologic remnant that constituted a longitudinal anastomosis between both mesenteric arteries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Millet Caddesi, Fatih, 34093, Istanbul, Turkey. iagurses@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ilke Ali
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Gurses
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Millet Caddesi, Fatih, 34093, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ozcan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gayretli
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Haydarpasa Numune Education and Research Hospital, Tibbiye Caddesi, No: 40, Üsküdar, 34668, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sule
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Canberk
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Millet Caddesi, Fatih, 34093, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Aysin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kale
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D063405:Anatomic Variation; D003106:Colon / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008638:Mesenteric Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology*
keywords: Blood supply; Colon; Inferior mesenteric artery; Intermesenteric trunk; Meandering mesenteric artery; Superior mesenteric artery