Griffiths point

The Griffiths point, also known as Griffiths critical point, refers to the site of watershed anastomosis between the ascending left colic artery and the marginal artery of Drummond occurring in the region of the splenic flexure. Most anatomy texts describe the location as two-thirds along the transverse colon.

This represents an important collateral communication between the superior mesenteric and inferior mesenteric arteries upon which the splenic flexure and descending colon may be dependent.

Radiographic features

Angiography (DSA)

Angiographic studies show that anastomosis at Griffiths point is present in 48%, poor or tenuous in 9%, and absent in 43% .

History and etymology

Griffiths point is named after the British vascular surgeon, JD Griffiths who described it in 1956 .

Related pathology

This has relevance in radiology, as it explains why the splenic flexure watershed site is the most common location for ischemic colitis.