Anatomical variations in the branching pattern and distribution of the arteries supplying gut derivatives is very important especially for surgeons undertaking surgeries in the abdominal region. Anatomical variations contribute to the misinterpretation and leads to major postoperative complications. The present study was carried out in 32 adult cadavers (5 females and 27 male cadavers) which were used during routine dissection for undergraduate medical students. The course and branches of all the ventral branches of aorta was traced. Any arterial variation was observed and recorded. Anatomical variations related to the trifurcation of coeliac trunk, origin of the inferior phrenic artery, origin of the left gastric artery, origin of the accessory hepatic artery and the origin of the accessory right colic artery were noted and documented. In two cases, left colic artery was absent and inferior mesenteric artery gave rise to 3-4 sigmoid branches. The present study highlights on the importance of arterial variations in the abdomen which should not be ignored. Hence, the accurate knowledge of such variations is important in carrying out surgical procedures in the abdomen safely and also in the interpretation of angiographic reports.

Keywords: Arteries; Anatomic variation; Abdomen; Aorta; Cadaver.