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Right gastroepiploic artery

Medically Reviewed by Anatomy Team

  • Last updated on January 24, 2025

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The right gastroepiploic artery is a branch of the gastroduodenal artery, which originates from the common hepatic artery, a branch of the celiac trunk.[7] This artery is responsible for supplying blood to the greater curvature of the stomach and the greater omentum.

Location

The right gastroepiploic artery is located in the upper abdomen, running along the greater curvature of the stomach. It originates from the gastroduodenal artery, passes behind the duodenum, and then courses leftward along the greater curvature within the layers of the greater omentum, a large fold of peritoneum that drapes over the intestines.[6] As it travels, it anastomoses with the left gastroepiploic artery, which arises from the splenic artery. The right gastroepiploic artery supplies the lower part of the stomach and the greater omentum with oxygenated blood.

Anatomy

Origin

The right gastroepiploic artery originates from the gastroduodenal artery, which itself arises from the common hepatic artery, a branch of the celiac trunk. After the gastroduodenal artery gives rise to the right gastroepiploic artery, the vessel begins its course along the greater curvature of the stomach.

Course

After its origin from the gastroduodenal artery, the right gastroepiploic artery passes posterior to the first part of the duodenum. From there, it enters the greater omentum, a double-layered fold of peritoneum that drapes over the intestines. The artery then runs from right to left along the greater curvature of the stomach, located between the stomach and the transverse colon. As it courses leftward, it runs within the layers of the greater omentum, supplying blood to the stomach and omentum as it progresses.[8]

Branches

As the right gastroepiploic artery travels along the greater curvature of the stomach, it gives off several important branches:

  • Gastric Branches: These small branches supply blood to the stomach’s muscular and mucosal layers, particularly the lower portion along the greater curvature.[5] They nourish the outer layers of the stomach wall, helping maintain its structure and function.
  • Omental Branches: These branches supply blood to the greater omentum, a fatty, vascular tissue that plays a role in immune responses and insulation of the abdominal organs. The omental branches spread through the greater omentum, nourishing its tissue and contributing to its ability to repair and heal itself.

Anastomosis

The right gastroepiploic artery plays a key role in forming an anastomosis with the left gastroepiploic artery, which arises from the splenic artery. This anastomosis occurs near the midpoint of the greater curvature of the stomach, ensuring a continuous blood supply to this part of the stomach. This vascular connection between the right and left gastroepiploic arteries is essential for maintaining consistent blood flow to the stomach and omentum.

Relations

  • Anteriorly: The right gastroepiploic artery is related to the anterior surface of the stomach, particularly the lower portion of the greater curvature.[4] It runs within the greater omentum, a peritoneal structure that lies anterior to the intestines.
  • Posteriorly: Behind the right gastroepiploic artery lie the transverse colon and transverse mesocolon. The artery is separated from these structures by the greater omentum.
  • Superiorly: The artery lies inferior to the stomach’s greater curvature as it courses along the lower part of the stomach.
  • Inferiorly: The greater omentum and transverse colon are located inferior to the artery, which supplies blood to both the stomach and the omentum.

Length and Diameter

The right gastroepiploic artery is a relatively long artery, as it travels a significant distance along the greater curvature of the stomach. Its length typically extends from the gastroduodenal artery, where it originates, to the midpoint of the greater curvature, where it anastomoses with the left gastroepiploic artery. Its diameter is small to moderate, reflecting its role in supplying the stomach and omentum rather than larger structures.

Termination

The right gastroepiploic artery terminates by anastomosing with the left gastroepiploic artery near the middle of the greater curvature of the stomach. This anastomosis provides a continuous blood supply to the stomach and greater omentum. The artery’s smaller branches terminate by supplying blood to the layers of the stomach wall and the omentum.

Anatomical Variations

Variations in the anatomy of the right gastroepiploic artery are relatively uncommon, but they do exist. Some of the notable variations include:

  • Different Origin: In rare cases, the right gastroepiploic artery may arise directly from the common hepatic artery or another nearby vessel instead of the gastroduodenal artery.
  • Variation in Course: The artery may take a slightly different course along the greater curvature of the stomach, depending on individual anatomical differences.[3] This may affect the exact location of its anastomosis with the left gastroepiploic artery.
  • Additional Branches: In some cases, the right gastroepiploic artery may give off more or fewer branches than usual, affecting the blood supply to the stomach and omentum.

Function

The right gastroepiploic artery serves essential roles in supplying blood to the stomach’s greater curvature and the greater omentum. This artery is responsible for delivering oxygenated blood to these areas, ensuring proper gastric function and maintaining the health of the surrounding tissues. Below is a detailed breakdown of the functions of the right gastroepiploic artery.

Blood Supply to the Greater Curvature of the Stomach

The primary function of the right gastroepiploic artery is to provide oxygenated blood to the greater curvature of the stomach. This part of the stomach is responsible for mixing and churning food with digestive juices, and it requires a constant blood supply to support these activities:

  • Nourishment of Gastric Tissues: The artery supplies the muscular layers of the stomach, which are responsible for the contractions that mix and propel food. The artery also supplies the gastric mucosa, which secretes mucus, bicarbonate, and digestive juices. The oxygen and nutrients delivered by the right gastroepiploic artery ensure that these tissues function properly, aiding in the digestion process.
  • Support for Acid and Enzyme Secretion: The cells lining the stomach, including parietal cells and chief cells, secrete hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes such as pepsinogen. The right gastroepiploic artery ensures that these cells receive the necessary oxygen and nutrients to sustain the production of gastric acid and enzymes, which are critical for breaking down food.

Blood Supply to the Greater Omentum

Another significant function of the right gastroepiploic artery is to supply blood to the greater omentum, a large, fatty fold of peritoneum that hangs down from the stomach and covers the intestines:

  • Nourishing the Omental Tissue: The greater omentum is composed of fat, connective tissue, blood vessels, and lymphatic tissue. The right gastroepiploic artery’s branches supply oxygenated blood to the omental tissue, supporting its role in insulation, storage, and immunity.
  • Immune Support: The greater omentum plays a role in immune responses, containing macrophages and other immune cells that help detect and fight infections. The right gastroepiploic artery’s blood flow supports the metabolic activity of these immune cells, enabling them to respond to pathogens that may enter the abdominal cavity.
  • Repair and Regeneration: The omentum helps repair injuries in the abdominal cavity by adhering to areas of infection or inflammation.[2] The blood supplied by the right gastroepiploic artery ensures that the omentum has the oxygen and nutrients necessary for its healing functions.

Contribution to Gastric Anastomotic Circulation

The right gastroepiploic artery forms an important anastomosis with the left gastroepiploic artery, providing continuous blood flow to the greater curvature of the stomach:

  • Ensuring Redundant Blood Supply: The anastomosis between the right and left gastroepiploic arteries ensures that if one artery is compromised (e.g., due to blockage or surgical ligation), the other artery can maintain the blood supply to the stomach and omentum. This redundancy is crucial for preventing ischemic damage to the stomach.
  • Support During Surgical Procedures: During surgeries such as gastrectomy (partial removal of the stomach), this anastomotic network ensures that blood flow to the remaining portions of the stomach and omentum is maintained, minimizing the risk of postoperative complications.

Oxygen and Nutrient Delivery

Like all arteries, the right gastroepiploic artery plays a critical role in delivering oxygen and nutrients to the tissues it supplies:

  • Cellular Metabolism: The cells in the gastric wall and omentum require oxygen to perform cellular respiration, which produces the energy needed for their functions. The right gastroepiploic artery ensures that these cells receive a steady supply of oxygen to maintain normal metabolic processes.
  • Tissue Maintenance and Repair: The stomach and omentum are constantly exposed to wear and tear due to their roles in digestion and immune defense. The blood flow from the right gastroepiploic artery supports the repair and regeneration of tissues in these areas, ensuring that the stomach lining and omentum remain healthy and functional.

Support for Digestive Function

The right gastroepiploic artery supports the digestive function of the stomach by supplying the tissues involved in food breakdown:

  • Peristalsis: The muscular contractions of the stomach, known as peristalsis, mix food with digestive juices to break it down into smaller particles for absorption in the intestines. The artery provides the blood necessary for the smooth muscle cells in the stomach wall to generate these contractions.
  • Protection Against Acid: The stomach’s lining produces a protective layer of mucus and bicarbonate to shield the stomach from the acidic gastric juices. The right gastroepiploic artery delivers the oxygen needed to maintain this protective barrier, preventing ulcers or damage to the stomach lining.

Clinical Significance

The right gastroepiploic artery is clinically significant due to its vital role in supplying blood to the greater curvature of the stomach and the greater omentum.[1] During gastrectomy (partial or total removal of the stomach), the artery is often ligated, and understanding its anastomotic connection with the left gastroepiploic artery is crucial to preserve blood flow to the remaining stomach.

This artery is also involved in gastric ulcers located along the greater curvature, where its proximity can lead to potential hemorrhage if the ulcer erodes through the stomach wall. In cases of pancreatic surgeries, especially those involving the tail of the pancreas, the artery’s location near the pancreas makes it vulnerable to injury. Additionally, the right gastroepiploic artery is sometimes used as a graft in coronary artery bypass surgery due to its adequate size and length. Understanding its anatomy is important in both abdominal and cardiac surgeries to avoid complications and ensure successful outcomes.

References

  1. Michels N. A. (1966). Newer Anatomy of the Gastrointestinal Tract. J. B. Lippincott. ISBN 978-0397503866.
  2. Warwick R., & Williams P. L. (1973). Gray’s Anatomy (35th ed.). Longman. ISBN 978-0582441908.
  3. Netter F. H. (1987). The Ciba Collection of Medical Illustrations: Volume 3 – Digestive System. Ciba Pharmaceutical Products. ISBN 978-0914168128.
  4. Datta A. K. (2013). Essentials of Human Anatomy: Thorax and Abdomen (9th ed.). Current Books International. ISBN 978-8123921814.
  5. Romanes G. J. (2015). Cunningham’s Manual of Practical Anatomy: Volume 2 – Thorax and Abdomen (16th ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0198749385.
  6. Skandalakis J. E., Skandalakis P. N., & Skandalakis L. J. (2004). Surgical Anatomy and Technique: A Pocket Manual (3rd ed.). Springer. ISBN 978-0387982677.
  7. Grant J. C. B., Basmajian J. V., & Slonecker C. E. (1989). Grant’s Method of Anatomy (11th ed.). Williams & Wilkins. ISBN 978-0683046721.
  8. Williams P. L., & Warwick R. (1980). Functional Anatomy of the Human Body (4th ed.). W. B. Saunders. ISBN 978-0721619770.