Gastroepiploicaarterie

The gastroepiploic arteries, or arteriae gastroepiploicae, are two arteries that run along the greater curvature of the stomach within the greater omentum. They form an arterial arcade supplying the stomach’s greater curvature and parts of the greater omentum, and they communicate with each other through a midcurvature anastomosis.

The right gastroepiploic artery (arteria gastroepiploica dextra) typically arises from the gastroduodenal artery, a branch of the common hepatic artery. It descends leftward along the greater curvature within the gastrocolic ligament, giving off branches to the stomach and omentum before it anastomoses with the left gastroepiploic artery near the midportion of the curvature.

The left gastroepiploic artery (arteria gastroepiploica sinistra) usually originates from the splenic artery. It runs rightward along the greater curvature within the same ligament, supplying the stomach and omentum, and it anastomoses with the right gastroepiploic artery along the curvature.

Clinical significance of the gastroepiploic arteries includes their role in collateral circulation after gastric surgery and their use in reconstructive procedures, such as gastroepiploic flaps for head, neck, or chest reconstruction. Knowledge of their origin and course is important in procedures like gastrectomy or omental mobilization to minimize bleeding and preserve blood supply. Variations exist, but the paired arteries most commonly arise from the gastroduodenal (right) and splenic (left) arteries.