Left gastroomental artery

The left gastroomental artery (Left gastroepiploic artery, LGEA) is a branch of the splenic artery that courses along the greater curvature of the stomach within the layers of the greater omentum, from left to right. It arises near the splenic hilum and travels toward the middle of the greater curvature, where it forms an anastomotic arcade with the right gastroepiploic artery (a terminal branch of the gastroduodenal artery) in approximately 70% of individuals.

Course: From its origin, the artery first travels within the gastrosplenic ligament toward the stomach, reaching the greater curvature near the anterior pole of the spleen. It then turns and runs left to right (inferiorly and to the right) between the two layers of the greater omentum, along the greater curvature of the stomach, roughly a finger's breadth below the gastric wall. It terminates by anastomosing with the right gastroomental artery (a branch of the gastroduodenal artery), together forming the arterial arcade of the greater curvature sometimes called the arc of Barkow.

Branches:

• Gastric branches: numerous small vessels supplying the fundus and body of the stomach.

• Omental (epiploic) branches: descend between the layers of the greater omentum, supplying it and anastomosing with branches of the middle colic artery.

Supplied structures: The stomach (mainly fundus and body) and the greater omentum.

The left gastroomental artery is subject to notable anatomical variability. Reported variations include an intrapancreatic course (piercing the pancreatic parenchyma), duplication of the artery, and trifurcation patterns. The anastomosis between the left and right gastroepiploic arteries, when present, may be minute in caliber