Gastrosplenic ligament

Gastrophrenic ligament is a part of the human anatomy that connects the stomach to the diaphragm. It is a thin, double-layered fold of peritoneum that extends from the superior part of the greater curvature of the stomach to the diaphragm.

Anatomy

The gastrophrenic ligament is one of the lesser-known ligaments of the stomach. It is a part of the greater omentum, a large apron-like fold of visceral peritoneum that hangs down from the stomach. The greater omentum is made up of four layers of peritoneum, and the gastrophrenic ligament is formed by two of these layers.

The gastrophrenic ligament extends from the superior part of the greater curvature of the stomach to the underside of the diaphragm. It is located between the gastrolienal ligament, which extends to the spleen, and the gastrophrenic ligament, which extends to the liver.

Function

The primary function of the gastrophrenic ligament is to hold the stomach in place within the abdominal cavity. It helps to prevent the stomach from moving too much during physical activity or digestion.

In addition to its mechanical role, the gastrophrenic ligament may also play a role in the immune response. The greater omentum, of which the gastrophrenic ligament is a part, contains a large number of immune cells that can help to fight off infections in the abdominal cavity.

Clinical significance

The gastrophrenic ligament can be involved in a number of medical conditions. For example, it can become inflamed in cases of peritonitis, an infection of the peritoneum. It can also be involved in cases of gastric volvulus, a condition in which the stomach twists around itself.

In addition, the gastrophrenic ligament can be a site of metastasis for certain types of cancer, including stomach cancer and pancreatic cancer. In these cases, cancer cells can spread from the primary tumor to the gastrophrenic ligament via the lymphatic system.

See also

• Peritoneum
• Greater omentum
• Stomach
• Diaphragm (anatomy)