What are the main branches of the coeliac trunk?

The coeliac trunk is a major arterial supply to the abdominal organs and primarily branches into three significant arteries: the left gastric artery, the hepatic artery, and the splenic artery. This tripartite division is crucial for supplying blood to the stomach, liver, and spleen, respectively.

The left gastric artery serves the stomach's lesser curvature, while the hepatic artery provides oxygenated blood to the liver and also gives rise to the gastroduodenal artery, which further supplies parts of the stomach and duodenum. The splenic artery supplies blood to the spleen and, to a lesser extent, the pancreas.

Regarding the other choices, the right and left iliac arteries branch off from the abdominal aorta and supply the lower limbs, while the femoral and popliteal arteries are branches of the external iliac artery supplying the thigh and leg. The aorta and inferior vena cava are major blood vessels in the body, but they do not branch from the coeliac trunk. This understanding of the coeliac trunk and its main branches is vital for any surgical practice involving the abdominal viscera.