Midgut

The midgut is the portion of the embryo from which most of the intestines develop. After it bends around the superior mesenteric artery, it is called the "midgut loop". It comprises the portion of the alimentary canal from the end of the foregut at the opening of the bile duct to the hindgut, about two-thirds of the way through the transverse colon.

Structures of the midgut: 

• Duodenum (distal half of 2nd part, 3rd and 4th parts)

• Jejunum

• Ileum

• Cecum

• Appendix

• Ascending colon

• Hepatic flexure of colon

• Transverse colon (proximal two-thirds)

Arterial supply to the midgut is from the superior mesenteric artery, an unpaired branch of the aorta. Venous drainage is to the portal venous system. Lymph from the midgut drains to prevertebral superior mesenteric nodes located at the origin of the superior mesenteric artery from the aorta. Portal drainage carries all non-lipid nutrients from digestion to the liver for processing and detoxification, while lymphatic drainage carries fatty chyle to the cisterna chyli. Autonomic innervation of the midgut is from the superior mesenteric plexus.