Arterial supply of the duodenal bulb: an anatomoclinical study

An anatomic and radio-anatomic study of 15 specimens enabled us to reconsid er the arterial vascularization of the duodenal bulb and to propose a new c lassification based on anatomoclinical criteria. The two arterial pedicles (infra- and supradudodenal) reach the bulb on its posterior aspect; each pe dicle is made up of two sorts of blood currents (right and left); the poste rior aspect of the bulb seems to be the most vascularized one, explaining, apart from bleeding from gastroduodenal a. erosion, the hemorrhagic charact er of ulcers of the posterior aspect of the bulb. The predominance of the l eft-hand currents explains the possible ischemia of the duodenal bulb and/o r rupture of the duodenal stump after their interruption.