Page Contents
VESSEL PATHWAY
The gastroduodenal artery is one of the major divisions of the common hepatic artery.
aorta → celiac artery → common hepatic artery → gastroduodenal artery
![Anatomical location of the gastroduodenal artery (source)](http://www.stepwards.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/1-gastroduodenal-artery.jpg)
FUNCTION
This artery supplies the pylorus of the stomach and proximal portion of the duodenum with blood directly. It supplies the pancreatic head with blood as well (indirectly).
CAUSES OF INJURY
Posterior duodenal ulcers can damage this artery leading to potentially life threatening hemorrhage.
CLINICAL PRESENTATION OF INJURY
This type of injury can present as a classic upper GI bleed (patient might have coffee ground emesis).
OTHER INFO
Page updated: 05.02.2016