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ABSTRACT
Background
The coeliac trunk (CT) is an unpaired branch of the abdominal aorta, originating anteriorly from the abdominal aorta at the level of T12-L1. The trunk supplies the derivatives of the foregut of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The literature indicates that the coeliac trunk shows anatomical variation which vary in prevalence and may be population specific. Awareness of the branching pattern is essential in radiographic diagnosis, surgical procedures and organ procurement for transplantation. The purpose of this study was to report on the branching pattern, location and length of the CT of black South Africans.
Method
Twenty-nine black South African cadavers were dissected in the Anatomy and Histology Department at the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. After noting the branching pattern, a sliding calliper was used to measure the distance from the aortic hiatus to the origin of the CT from the aorta. The length of the CT was measured from its origin to its first branch.
Result
The CT originated approximately 9.82 mm from the aortic hiatus and had an average length of 12.34 mm before branching. The trunk branched out as a true tripod in 27.6% of cases, with additional branches originating from the trunk in 17.2%. The false tripod variation was observed in 6.9% and with additional branches in 13.8%. A hepatosplenic trunk (6.9%), quadrification with a dorsal pancreatic artery (10,4%) and a CT with five branches (17.2%) was also noted.
Conclusion
The CT most commonly originated immediately after passing through the aortic hiatus. The length of the CT fell within the reported range. The prevalence of the inferior phrenic and dorsal pancreatic arteries branching from the coeliac trunk is higher in black South Africans compared to the literature. These variations should be considered when planning surgical procedures involving the derivatives of the foregut