Gastroepiploic artery

Gastroepiploic artery

The celiac artery and its branches; the stomach has been raised and the peritoneum removed. (Right gastroepiploic artery visible at lower right.)

The Gastroepiploic artery (or gastro-omental artery) is an artery in the abdomen that branches from the gastroduodenal artery and the splenic artery. It plays a crucial role in the blood supply to the stomach and greater omentum.

Anatomy

The gastroepiploic artery is divided into two branches: the right gastroepiploic artery and the left gastroepiploic artery. The right gastroepiploic artery, a branch of the gastroduodenal artery, runs to the left along the greater curvature of the stomach. The left gastroepiploic artery, a branch of the splenic artery, runs to the right along the greater curvature of the stomach. These two arteries anastomose with each other to form a continuous arterial circle along the greater curvature of the stomach.

Clinical significance

The gastroepiploic artery is of clinical significance in gastrointestinal surgery, as it may be used in the formation of a gastroepiploic artery flap in esophageal reconstruction. It is also of importance in coronary artery bypass surgery, where the right gastroepiploic artery may be used as a graft.

See also

• Gastroduodenal artery
• Splenic artery
• Stomach
• Greater omentum