Vessel
Gastro-omental arteries
Arterial routes along the greater curvature
High-yield
The right vessel comes from gastroduodenal; the left from splenic. Their connections follow the greater curvature, opposite the gastric-artery network at the lesser curvature.
Overview
Right and left gastro-omental arteries, also called gastroepiploic arteries, run in the greater omentum near the stomach. Their gastric and omental branches form part of the stomach's extensive arterial connections.
Reference facts
- Origin
- Right: gastroduodenal artery. Left: splenic artery, usually near the splenic hilum.
- Course
- Travel within the greater omentum near the greater curvature and communicate through a variable arterial network.
- Branches
- Gastric branches enter the stomach; omental branches descend into the greater omentum.
- Supplies
- Supply adjacent gastric wall and greater omental tissue.
- Drains to
- Associated right gastro-omental venous blood usually enters the superior mesenteric system; left-sided return enters the splenic vein.
Clinical correlation
The right gastro-omental artery has been used as a coronary bypass conduit. That application depends on selected vascular anatomy and does not mean the artery is universally expendable.
Frequently asked questions
Where do the gastro-omental arteries originate?
Right: gastroduodenal artery. Left: splenic artery, usually near the splenic hilum.
What do the gastro-omental arteries supply?
Supply adjacent gastric wall and greater omental tissue.
Where do the gastro-omental arteries drain to?
Associated right gastro-omental venous blood usually enters the superior mesenteric system; left-sided return enters the splenic vein.
What are the branches of the gastro-omental arteries?
Gastric branches enter the stomach; omental branches descend into the greater omentum.