Greater Curvature of the Stomach Flashcards

Trace the greater curvature of the stomach, including its omental attachments, arterial arcades, venous drainage, and surgical relationships.

Card 1 of 25Question

What is the greater curvature of the stomach?

The long, convex border of the stomach extending from the cardiac notch around the fundus and body toward the pylorus.

In This Section

1. What is the greater curvature of the stomach?

The long, convex border of the stomach extending from the cardiac notch around the fundus and body toward the pylorus.

2. How does the greater curvature compare in length with the lesser curvature?

It is considerably longer, forming the broad lateral and inferior border of the stomach.

3. Which anatomical notch marks the superior beginning of the greater curvature?

The cardiac notch, associated with the angle of His.

4. Which gastric regions contribute to the greater curvature?

The fundus, body, and pyloric part of the stomach.

5. Which major peritoneal structure attaches along the greater curvature?

The greater omentum.

6. Which ligament connects the greater curvature to the transverse colon?

The gastrocolic ligament.

7. Which ligament connects the upper greater curvature to the spleen?

The gastrosplenic ligament.

8. Which peritoneal ligament connects the gastric fundus to the diaphragm?

The gastrophrenic ligament.

9. Which arteries supply the greater curvature of the gastric body and pyloric region?

The right and left gastro-omental arteries, also called gastroepiploic arteries.

10. From which artery does the right gastro-omental artery usually arise?

The gastroduodenal artery.

11. From which artery does the left gastro-omental artery arise?

The splenic artery.

12. How do the right and left gastro-omental arteries course along the greater curvature?

The right travels leftward and the left travels rightward, forming an arterial anastomosis.

13. Which arteries primarily supply the fundal portion of the greater curvature?

The short gastric arteries, usually arising from the splenic artery.

14. Through which ligament do the short gastric arteries travel?

The gastrosplenic ligament.

15. Into which vein does the right gastro-omental vein usually drain?

The superior mesenteric vein, often through the gastrocolic trunk.

16. Into which vein does the left gastro-omental vein usually drain?

The splenic vein.

17. Which lymph nodes receive lymph from much of the greater curvature?

The right and left gastro-omental lymph nodes.

18. Which lymph nodes receive much of the lymph from the upper greater curvature near the fundus?

The pancreaticosplenic lymph nodes along the splenic vessels.

19. Which major lymph node group ultimately receives much of the lymphatic drainage from the greater curvature?

The celiac lymph nodes.

20. Which autonomic plexus distributes sympathetic fibers to the greater curvature?

The celiac plexus through periarterial nerve networks.

21. Which nerves provide parasympathetic innervation to the stomach along the greater curvature?

Branches of the anterior and posterior vagal trunks.

22. Which peritoneal cavity is entered by dividing the gastrocolic ligament?

The lesser sac, also called the omental bursa.

23. Why is the gastrocolic ligament commonly divided during gastric or pancreatic surgery?

To access the lesser sac and expose the posterior stomach and anterior pancreas.

24. Why must the short gastric vessels be handled carefully during mobilization of the upper greater curvature?

Their proximity to the splenic hilum creates a risk of bleeding and splenic injury.

25. Which bariatric operation removes most of the greater curvature of the stomach?

Sleeve gastrectomy.