Anatomy of Inferior Mesenteric Artery in Fetuses

Table 2

Variations in the branches of Inferior Mesenteric Artery.

Age group of fetuses	Number of specimens studied	Number of specimens observed	Branches	%
Second trimester	34	(a) 30	() Left colic artery	88.2%
			() Sigmoidal arteries (1–5)
			() Superior rectal artery
		(b) 3	() Left colic artery	8.8%
			() Sigmoidal arteries (1–5)
			() Superior rectal artery
			() Left renal artery
		(c) 1	() Sigmoidal arteries (1–5)	2.9%
			() Superior rectal artery
			() Left colic artery arising from abdominal aorta
Third trimester	66	(a) 64	() Left colic artery	96.9%
			() Sigmoidal arteries (1–5)
			() Superior rectal artery
		(b) 1	() Left colic artery	1.5%
			() Sigmoidal arteries (1–5)
			() Superior rectal artery
			() Left renal artery
		(c) 1	() Left colic artery	1.5%
			() Sigmoidal arteries (1–5)
			() Superior rectal artery
			() Accessory left renal artery