The colic branch of the ileocolic artery is part of the superior mesenteric artery, or SMA. It is the last of the ileal branches of the SMA, which are located on the SMA’s left side. The colic branch of the ileocolic artery supplies blood to the ascending colon, a section of the large intestine.
The colic branch of the ileocolic artery connects to the right colic artery and then divides into the anterior and posterior cecal arteries. These arteries supply blood to the cecum, which is the first section of the large intestine. The appendicular artery, which supplies fresh blood to the appendix, branches off from either or both of these cecal arteries, depending on a person’s individual anatomy.