Question

Which of the following describes the anatomic course of the gastroduodenal artery?

A) The GDA has a caudal course, anterior to the pancreatic head

B) The GDA has a caudal course, posterior to the pancreatic head

C) The GDA has a cranial course, anterior to the duodenum & medial to the pancreatic neck

D) The GDA has a cranial course, posterior to the pancreatic head

E) The GDA has a lateral course, cephalic to the pancreatic head

Answer 1

The anatomic course of the gastroduodenal artery is cranial, anterior to the duodenum & medial to the pancreatic neck. It arises from the common hepatic artery and supplies blood to the stomach and duodenum.

Step-by-step explanation:

The anatomic course of the gastroduodenal artery is described as having a cranial course, anterior to the duodenum & medial to the pancreatic neck.

The gastroduodenal artery arises from the common hepatic artery, which is a branch of the celiac trunk. It runs in front of the duodenum, then it passes behind the first part of the duodenum and the head of the pancreas before splitting into its two terminal branches: the right gastroepiploic artery and the superior pancreaticoduodenal artery.

This course allows the gastroduodenal artery to supply blood to the stomach and duodenum.