Left gastro-omental artery

Left gastro-omental artery

The celiac artery and its branches; the stomach has been raised and the peritoneum removed. (Left gastro-omental artery visible at center.)

The Left gastro-omental artery (also known as the left gastroepiploic artery, and inferior gastric artery) is a branch of the splenic artery that runs from left to right along the greater curvature of the stomach.

Structure

The left gastro-omental artery arises from the splenic artery, and passes from left to right along the greater curvature of the stomach, between the layers of the greater omentum, anastomosing with the right gastro-omental artery, a branch of the gastroduodenal artery.

Function

The left gastro-omental artery supplies blood to the greater curvature of the stomach. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the blood supply to the stomach, especially in cases where other arteries supplying the stomach are blocked or damaged.

Clinical significance

Knowledge of the left gastro-omental artery is important in surgical procedures involving the stomach, such as gastrectomy and gastric bypass surgery. Its location and the areas it supplies can also be significant in cases of stomach cancer or peptic ulcer disease.

See also

• Right gastro-omental artery
• Gastroduodenal artery
• Splenic artery
• Stomach