Marginal artery of Drummond and arc of Riolan (mnemonic)

Last revised by Daniel J Bell on 17 Mar 2019

Remembering the colon vascular supply can be confusing because of inconstant collateral vascularization, therefore mnemonics can be helpful.

One way to remember the location of the marginal artery of Drummond is to remember that it runs distally to the root of the mesentery (near the colon).

In comparison, although both originate from the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) or its branches, the arc of Riolan runs proximally to the root of the mesentery.

Hence, the marginal artery of Drummond runs Distally and the arc of Riolan pRoximally to the root of the mesentery.

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