INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANATOMY PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY

1-7

Authors: Tapiyawala KB, Natarajan M

AIM: To study the morphology of proximal part of inferior phrenic artery. OBJECTIVES: To determine the vertebral level of origin of inferior phrenic artery bilaterally and to note variations of the proximal part of inferior phrenic artery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty embalmed cadavers were dissected. The vertebral level of origin and variations were noted. RESULTS: The vertebral level of origin of inferior phrenic artery was located at the level of IVD T12-L1 in 30% cases on the right side and in 25.5% cases on the left side. In 3/50 (6%) cases on the right side and in 4/51(7.8%) on the left side, inferior phrenic artery arose from the celiac trunk. In 20/50 (40%) cases, inferior phrenic artery arose bilaterally from celiac trunk. Out of these 20 cases, it arose as a common trunk from celiac trunk in 4 (8%) cases & as an independent origin from celiac trunk in 16 (32%) cases. In 1/50 (2%) cases on the right side and in 1/51 (1.96%) cases on the left side, inferior phrenic artery arose from superior mesenteric artery. In 2/50 (4%) cases on the right side, inferior phrenic artery arose from the renal artery. In 1/50 (2%) cases on the left side, there were presence of 2 inferior phrenic arteries, both arising from the celiac trunk. CONCLUSION: The present study provides a comprehensive data about the proximal part of the inferior phrenic artery which will help in interpretation of radiographs and during surgery of different types of abdominal pathology in Indian population. Awareness of these variations can prevent potential intra-operative and post-operative complications.