The ascending branch of the left colic artery is one of the two branches of the left colic artery. It passes in front of the left kidney, ending between the transverse mesocolon’s two layers where it connects with the left branch of the middle colic artery. The left colic artery supplies fresh blood to the upper part of the descending colon and the outer part of the transverse colon, both of which are parts of the large intestine.

The ascending branch of the left colic artery forms a structure called the marginal artery of Drummond along with the:

  • Colic branch of the ileocolic artery
  • Ascending and descending branches of the right colic artery
  • Right and left branches of the middle colic artery
  • Terminal branches of the sigmoid arteries
  • Descending branch of the left colic artery