Omental branches of left gastroomental artery
Rami omentales arteriae gastroomentalis sinistrae
- Synonym: Epiploic branches of left gastroomental artery
- Related terms: Omental branches
Definition
The omental branches of the left gastroomental (gastroepiploic) artery are small arterial branches that arise from the left gastroomental artery and descend into the greater omentum to provide its blood supply.
Key Features
These branches arise from the inferior aspect of the left gastroomental artery as it travels along the greater curvature of the stomach.
They are typically small, multiple, and variable in number and caliber.
They descend between the peritoneal folds of the greater omentum, supplying its adipose and connective tissue with arterial blood.
Within the omentum, they form anastomotic arcades with corresponding omental branches from the right gastroomental artery (a branch of the gastroduodenal artery), creating a vascular network that ensures collateral perfusion of the omentum.
This anastomotic arcade is sometimes referred to as the epiploic arc or arc of Barkow.
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