anterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery

The anterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery is an artery that branches from the gastroduodenal artery and supplies the first and second (superior and descending) parts of the duodenum and the head of the pancreas.

It is located in the upper abdomen, arising from the gastroduodenal artery and traveling along the anterior aspect of the pancreatic head to supply the adjacent duodenum and pancreatic tissue.

Its function is to supply oxygenated blood to the superior and descending portions of the duodenum and the head of the pancreas, contributing to the anterior pancreaticoduodenal arterial arcade.

Duodenal ulcers, particularly those on the posterior wall of the duodenal bulb, and pancreatic head tumors may be associated with involvement or erosion of this vessel.

This artery may be evaluated with CT angiography or selective celiac/gastroduodenal angiography, which can define its origin and distribution in the pancreaticoduodenal region.