Gastric branches of right gastroomental artery
Rami gastrici arteriae gastroomentalis dextrae
- Related terms: Gastric branches
Definition
The gastric branches of the right gastroomental (gastroepiploic) artery are small arterial branches that arise from the right gastroomental artery as it courses along the greater curvature of the stomach between the layers of the greater omentum. These branches ascend to supply the anteroinferior and posteroinferior walls of the gastric body and antrum.
Anatomical Details
The right gastroomental artery originates from the gastroduodenal artery (a branch of the common hepatic artery from the celiac trunk). It runs from right to left along the greater curvature of the stomach within the gastrocolic ligament (part of the greater omentum), where it gives off two main types of branches:
Gastric branches (rami gastrici): These are short, ascending branches that penetrate the gastric wall to supply the greater curvature and adjacent anterior and posterior surfaces of the stomach. They anastomose with descending branches from the left and right gastric arteries and with branches from the short gastric arteries, forming a rich submucosal vascular plexus.
Omental (epiploic) branches: These are long, descending branches that supply the greater omentum.
Clinical Significance
The gastric branches are important landmarks during gastrectomy, sleeve gastrectomy, and other gastric surgeries, as they must be carefully ligated to avoid hemorrhage while preserving adequate blood supply to remaining gastric tissue.
They contribute to the arterial arcade along the greater curvature, which provides collateral circulation to the stomach.
In interventional radiology, these branches may be relevant during embolization procedures for upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
Vascular Relationships
The right gastroomental artery anastomoses with the left gastroomental artery (a branch of the splenic artery) along the greater curvature, forming a continuous arterial arch. The gastric branches arise at regular intervals from this arch, ensuring a segmental blood supply to the dependent portion of the stomach.
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