Which arterial trunk primarily supplies the foregut and what are its major branches?

• A. Superior mesenteric artery
• B. Inferior mesenteric artery
• C. Celiac trunk with left gastric, splenic, and common hepatic arteries
• D. Renal arteries

Answer: (C)

The foregut is supplied primarily by the celiac trunk, the first major arterial trunk of the abdominal aorta that sits just below the diaphragm. It quickly divides into three branches: the left gastric artery, which travels along the stomach’s lesser curvature and gives esophageal branches; the splenic artery, which goes toward the spleen and sends branches to the pancreas and stomach (such as short gastrics and the left gastroepiploic); and the common hepatic artery, which moves toward the liver and gives the gastroduodenal artery (to the stomach and proximal duodenum) and the proper hepatic artery (to the liver, with the cystic artery often supplying the gallbladder). This arrangement explains why those organs receive their arterial blood from the foregut’s trunk.

Other arteries listed don’t primarily serve the foregut: the superior mesenteric artery supplies the midgut, the inferior mesenteric artery supplies the hindgut, and renal arteries supply the kidneys.