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MBBS QUESTION #10197
Question 1
The appendix receives its blood supply from the appendicular artery, itself a branch of which vessel — and being an end artery, why does this predispose to gangrenous appendicitis when obstructed?
  • Ileocolic artery, whose appendicular branch has no significant collateral supply✔️
  • Right colic artery, which has rich collateral anastomoses
  • Middle colic artery, with dual supply from the SMA and coeliac trunk
  • Superior mesenteric artery directly, with abundant collaterals
Correct Answer Explanation
The appendicular artery is a branch of the ileocolic artery (itself from the superior mesenteric artery) and behaves as an end artery with little collateral supply; luminal obstruction (e.g., by a faecolith) raising intraluminal pressure can compromise this single blood supply, leading rapidly to ischemia, gangrene, and perforation.