Gastroepiploic Artery and Branches, Anterior View

Description

Running along the greater curvature of the stomach, the right and left gastroepiploic (gastro-omental) arteries form an anastomotic arcade within the attached greater omentum, sending multiple gastric branches superiorly toward the anterior and posterior walls and omental branches inferiorly into the fatty apron. Proximally, the right gastroepiploic artery can be inferred arising from the gastroduodenal artery, while the left gastroepiploic artery tracks from the splenic artery near the hilum of the spleen. An anterior abdominal view also places the transverse colon and its mesocolon superiorly, with small-intestinal loops and their mesenteric vascular arcades occupying the central abdomen, all framed by the rectus abdominis and lateral abdominal wall musculature. Fine arterial branches, arterioles, and accompanying veins create a dense vascular plexus along the omental surface. Clinically, this territory matters because the gastroepiploic arcade is a common source of bleeding in peptic ulcer disease involving the distal stomach or proximal duodenum and a frequent landmark during gastrectomy, omentectomy, and bariatric procedures. Ligation of the right gastroepiploic vessels near the pylorus, or preservation of the left gastroepiploic supply in partial gastrectomy, directly affects perfusion of the gastric remnant and the viability of omental flaps. Small vessel anatomy. Big operative consequences. Use this illustration for teaching foregut vascular anatomy in gross anatomy, GI surgery, and interventional radiology curricula, or for publication figures on gastric devascularization steps, gastroepiploic aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm management, and omental flap reconstruction planning. It also supports clear orientation when correlating operative views with angiography of the gastroduodenal and splenic arterial systems. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.