RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The topographic location of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and its branching pattern are usually arbitrary in textbooks. This study, therefore, aims to provide topographic information of SMA with reference to the vertebral bodies, ventral branches of aorta and branching pattern of SMA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 35 embalmed adult human cadavers. We performed detailed dissection of the SMA to topographically locate its origin in respect to vertebral level and other ventral branches of the abdominal aorta. We have categorised the branching pattern of SMA into three different types depending upon the number of arterial pedicles, traced from proximal to distal to look into their anastomoses and formation marginal artery of Drummond. RESULTS: Vertebral level of origin of SMA varied between the lower third of twelfth thoracic vertebra (T12) and lower third of first lumbar vertebra (L1), most commonly arose at the level of the lower third of L1 (77.14%). The average distances between the origin of SMA and coeliac trunk (CT), inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) and aortic bifurcation were 1.84 cm, 6.67 cm and 10.39 cm, respectively. Depending on the branching pattern, type A was found in 29 (82.85%) cases, type B in 5 (14.28%) and type C in 1 (2.85%). In 2 cases (both of type B), the marginal artery was incomplete. CONCLUSIONS: The most common topography of origin of the SMA was opposite the lower third of L1. The coeliac-superior mesenteric relationship was most consistent than between any other two points on the abdominal aorta; 85% of the SMAs were concentrated within a space of 1.00 cm (0.60-1.50 cm) from the CT. Type A branching pattern was most commonly seen in our study population.