Descending colon
Organ supplied · Hindgut T12–L2
Retroperitoneal hindgut colon from the splenic flexure to the pelvic brim, fed by the descending branch of the left colic with marginal artery links to the sigmoid arteries below. Hindgut pain is referred to the suprapubic region.
Traced from the start
Detail
- Supply
- Descending branch of left colic, marginal artery
- Referred pain
- Suprapubic / hypogastric, T12–L2 via lumbar splanchnic nerves
- Parasympathetic
- Pelvic splanchnic nerves S2–S4 (no vagal supply)
When it goes wrong
Left-sided colon cancer (narrow lumen, formed stool)
Altered bowel habit, obstruction and fresh blood mixed with stool rather than anaemia; left hemicolectomy ligates the left colic or IMA
IMA occluded or ligated at aortic surgery
Descending colon perfused retrograde through the marginal artery from the middle colic
Practise this structure
1 question in the bank tagged Hindgut.