What is Griffiths point?
The Griffiths point, also known as Griffiths critical point, refers to the site of watershed anastomosis between the ascending left colic artery and the marginal artery of Drummond occurring in the region of the splenic flexure. Most anatomy texts describe the location as two-thirds along the transverse colon.
What is the marginal artery of Drummond?
The marginal artery of Drummond (MA) is an anatomically variable blood vessel that forms a major anastomotic network between the superior and inferior mesenteric arteries. It vascularizes the transverse and descending colons and is a major contributor to the collateral circulation of left-colic structures.
Where is the left colic artery?
The left colic artery is a branch of the inferior mesenteric artery, arising shortly after its origin from the aorta. It courses upwards posterior to the left colic mesentery and crosses over the anterior surface of the left psoas major muscle, left ureter and gonadal vessels.
What are the watershed areas of the colon?
Two main areas in the colon, including splenic flexure (Griffiths point) and rectosigmoid junction (Sudek’s point), are prone to ischemia. These are also known as the ‘watershed’ areas, which mean the regions in the colon between 2 major arteries that supplying colon.
What causes splenic flexure syndrome?
Splenic flexure syndrome occurs when gas builds up or becomes trapped in your colon. Thought to be the primary cause of this condition, gas accumulation causes trapped air to push on the inner lining of your stomach and digestive tract. As a result, pressure can build on surrounding organs causing pain and discomfort.
Where is the OM artery?
The obtuse marginal (OM) arteries sometimes referred to as lateral branches are branch coronary arteries that come off the circumflex artery. There can be one or more obtuse marginal arteries. It typically traverses along the left margin of heart towards the apex.
What does left colic artery supply?
The left colic artery supplies blood flow to the distal third of the transverse colon and the entirety of the descending colon.
What does left colic vein do?
The left colic vein drains the descending colon. It is a tributary of the inferior mesenteric vein, and follows the path of its corresponding artery, the left colic artery.
What is the largest watershed in America?
The Mississippi River watershed
The Mississippi River watershed is the biggest watershed in the United States, draining more than three million square kilometers (one million square miles) of land.
Why is splenic flexure watershed?
The splenic flexure is a watershed region as it receives dual blood supply from the terminal branches of the superior mesenteric artery and the inferior mesenteric artery, thus making it prone to ischemic damage in cases of low blood pressure because it does not have its own primary source of blood.
What is the percentage of anastomosis at Griffiths Point?
Analysis of arteriographic studies shows that anastomosis at Griffiths’ point is present in 48%, poor or tenuous in nine percent, and absent in 43%.
Where is Griffiths Point in the human body?
The Griffiths point, also known as Griffiths critical point, refers to the site of watershed anastomosis between the ascending left colic artery and the marginal artery of Drummond occurring in the region of the splenic flexure. Most anatomy texts describe the location as two-thirds along the transverse colon.
What is the function of Griffiths Point in the colon?
Griffiths’ point is defined as the site of (a) communication of the ascending left colic artery with the marginal artery of Drummond, and (b) anastomotic bridging between the right and left terminal branches of the ascending left colic artery at the splenic flexure of the colon.
Where is Griffiths Point in the splenic flexure?
Reference article, Radiopaedia.org. (accessed on 14 Sep 2021) https://radiopaedia.org/articles/9569 The Griffiths point, also known as Griffiths critical point, refers to the site of watershed anastomosis between the ascending left colic artery and the marginal artery of Drummond occurring in the region of the splenic flexure.