TY - JOUR A1 - , T1 - Superior polar artery arising from the splenic artery: a case report JO - Eur. J. Anat. SN - 1136-4890 Y1 - 2014 VL - 18 SP - 118 EP - 119 UR - http://www.eurjanat.com/web/paper.php?id=120086sb KW - Superior polar artery KW - Splenic artery KW - Splenic hilum N2 - The splenic artery shows numerous variations in its origin, course and branching pattern. Anatomical knowledge of variations of the branching pattern of the splenic artery is necessary to successfully accomplish surgical, oncologic or any interventional procedures on organs of the supracolic part of the abdominal cavity. This study reports the presence of a variant superior polar artery in a sixty year old male cadaver. A superior polar branch of the splenic artery, if present, usually arises 3-5 cm proximal to the splenic hilum and has an average length of 3.9 cm. We describe a rare variation of the superior polar artery 7.6 cm long and arising 6.4 cm proximal to the splenic hilum. Prior knowledge of the presence of such a variation can contribute to avoiding iatrogenic injuries and inadvertent complications during splenic surgery. ER -