Lecture Notes: Arterial Supply of the Stomach

Introduction

• Focus on the arterial supply of the stomach.
• Arterial supply derived from the celiac trunk and its branches.

Celiac Trunk

• Length: ~1 cm.
• Origin: Springs from the aorta between the right and left cura of the diaphragm.
• Branches:
  • Left gastric artery
  • Splenic artery
  • Common hepatic artery

Left Gastric Artery

• Smallest branch of the celiac trunk.
• Path: Runs down the lesser curvature of the stomach.
  • Describes a convexity oriented towards superior.
• Branches:
  • Esophageal branches: Supply lower part of the esophagus.
  • Accessory hepatic artery (anatomic variant): Supplies the left lobe of the liver.
• Gastric branches: Supply the stomach along the lesser curvature.

Common Hepatic Artery

• Splits into:
  • Gastroduodenal artery
  • Hepatic artery proper

Hepatic Artery Proper

• Gives rise to:
  • Right gastric artery
    • Anastomoses with the left gastric artery at the lesser curvature midpoint.
    • Can also arise from the common hepatic artery.
  • Left and right branches for the liver lobes.
  • Cystic artery: Supplies the gallbladder from the right branch.

Gastroduodenal Artery

• Descends related to the posterior surface of the first part of the duodenum.
• Splits into:
  • Right gastroepiploic artery
    • Supplies the greater curvature of the stomach in its lower part.
    • Gives off epiploic branches.
  • Superior pancreaticoduodenal artery
    • Splits into anterior and posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal branches.
    • Supplies the duodenum and pancreas.
  • Retroduodenal artery: Supplies posterior surface of the first part of the duodenum.

Splenic Artery

• Largest branch of the celiac trunk.
• Path: Passes behind the stomach, along the superior margin of the pancreas.
• Reaches the hilum of the spleen, splits into superior and inferior trunks.
• Branches:
  • Short gastric arteries: Supply fundus of the stomach near the spleen.
  • Left gastroepiploic artery: Runs down the greater curvature to anastomose with the right gastroepiploic artery.
  • Occasionally gives rise to the posterior gastric artery (anatomically variable): Participates in supplying the fundus.

Conclusion

• Overview of the arterial supply to the stomach.
• Key branches: Celiac trunk, left gastric, splenic, and common hepatic arteries.