IMA
Abbreviation with 2 meanings
| Stands for | Inferior mesenteric artery |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 2 |
| Categories | Medical |
IMA has two meanings. It stands for Inferior mesenteric artery (anatomy) or Internal mammary artery (anatomy).
Meanings of IMA at a glance
| # | IMA stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Inferior mesenteric artery | Medical › Anatomy |
| 2 | Internal mammary artery | Medical › Anatomy |
1. Inferior mesenteric artery
Medical · Anatomy Abbreviations
Branch of the abdominal aorta arising around the third lumbar level that supplies the distal transverse colon, descending and sigmoid colon and upper rectum. It is often ligated during colorectal cancer surgery and covered during endovascular aneurysm repair, with collateral flow from the SMA maintaining colon perfusion.
Example: High ligation of the IMA performed for lymph node yield during sigmoid colectomy.
The watershed between SMA and IMA territories near the splenic flexure (Griffiths point) is vulnerable to ischemic colitis. Type II endoleaks after EVAR often come from a patent IMA backfilling the aneurysm sac. In cardiac surgery IMA means the internal mammary artery.
2. Internal mammary artery
Medical · Anatomy Abbreviations
Artery running down the inside of the front chest wall on each side of the sternum, also called the internal thoracic artery. The left internal mammary artery grafted to the left anterior descending coronary artery is the gold-standard conduit in coronary bypass surgery because of its excellent long-term patency.
Example: Plan: CABG x3 using the left IMA to the LAD and vein grafts to the OM and RCA.
Internal mammary grafts remain open in roughly 90 percent of patients at ten years, far better than vein grafts. Harvesting both mammary arteries reduces sternal blood supply and can raise wound infection risk in people with diabetes. Anatomists prefer the name internal thoracic artery (ITA). In abdominal anatomy IMA means inferior mesenteric artery.
Related abbreviations
More anatomy abbreviations
- EJ – External jugular (vein)
- EOM – Extraocular muscles (movements)
- GB – Gallbladder
- ICA – Internal carotid artery
- ICS – Intercostal space
- IJ – Internal jugular (vein)
- IT band – Iliotibial band
- L-spine – Lumbar spine
- L4-L5 – Fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae (intervertebral level)
- L5-S1 – Fifth lumbar and first sacral vertebrae (lumbosacral junction)
- LCL – Lateral collateral ligament
- LE – Lower extremity
See all 70 anatomy abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.