Left Gastric Artery Flashcards

Explore the left gastric artery, including its celiac origin, lesser curvature course, esophageal branches, anastomoses, and clinical anatomy.

Card 1 of 25Question

What is the left gastric artery?

An artery that supplies the lesser curvature of the stomach and the abdominal portion of the esophagus.

In This Section

1. What is the left gastric artery?

An artery that supplies the lesser curvature of the stomach and the abdominal portion of the esophagus.

2. From which major artery does the left gastric artery typically originate?

The celiac trunk.

3. Which embryological division of the gastrointestinal tract is supplied by the left gastric artery?

The foregut.

4. Which of the three classical branches of the celiac trunk is usually the smallest?

The left gastric artery.

5. In which direction does the left gastric artery initially travel from the celiac trunk?

Superiorly and toward the left, approaching the esophagogastric junction.

6. Which region of the stomach does the left gastric artery approach before following the lesser curvature?

The cardiac region near the esophagogastric junction.

7. Within which peritoneal structure does the left gastric artery course along the lesser curvature?

The lesser omentum, specifically the hepatogastric ligament.

8. In which direction does the left gastric artery travel along the lesser curvature of the stomach?

Toward the right, in the direction of the pyloric region.

9. Which artery typically anastomoses with the left gastric artery along the lesser curvature?

The right gastric artery.

10. From which artery does the right gastric artery most commonly arise?

The proper hepatic artery, although its origin varies.

11. Which principal gastric surfaces receive branches from the left gastric artery?

The anterior and posterior walls of the stomach adjacent to the lesser curvature.

12. What are the two principal gastric divisions of the left gastric artery along the lesser curvature?

Anterior and posterior gastric branches.

13. Which branches of the left gastric artery ascend toward the lower esophagus?

The esophageal branches.

14. Which portion of the esophagus receives arterial blood from the left gastric artery?

The abdominal esophagus and adjacent distal thoracic esophagus.

15. With which arteries do the esophageal branches of the left gastric artery anastomose?

Esophageal branches of the thoracic aorta and inferior phrenic arteries.

16. Which artery may supply an accessory left hepatic artery arising from the gastric arterial system?

The left gastric artery.

17. What is a replaced left hepatic artery arising from the left gastric artery?

A variant left hepatic artery that originates from the left gastric artery instead of the usual hepatic arterial pathway.

18. Within which ligament does an aberrant left hepatic artery from the left gastric artery commonly travel toward the liver?

The hepatogastric ligament.

19. What is a recognized variation in the origin of the left gastric artery?

It may arise directly from the abdominal aorta instead of the celiac trunk.

20. What is a hepatosplenic trunk variation involving the left gastric artery?

The common hepatic and splenic arteries share a trunk, while the left gastric artery arises separately.

21. Which vein commonly accompanies the left gastric artery?

The left gastric vein, also called the coronary vein of the stomach.

22. Where do lymphatic vessels associated with the left gastric artery primarily drain?

To the left gastric lymph nodes and subsequently the celiac lymph nodes.

23. Why is the left gastric artery an important landmark during gastric cancer surgery?

Its vascular pedicle guides regional lymph node dissection and arterial ligation.

24. Why must surgeons identify an aberrant left hepatic artery before dividing the left gastric artery?

Division of a replaced left hepatic artery may compromise perfusion of the left liver.

25. Which imaging technique can demonstrate left gastric artery branching variations before upper abdominal surgery?

Computed tomography angiography.