The gastrocolic ligament is a portion of the
greater omentum that stretches from the greater curvature of the stomach to the
transverse colon. It forms part of the anterior wall of the
lesser sac.
Dividing the gastrocolic ligament provides access to the anterior
pancreas
The pancreas is an organ of the digestive system and endocrine system of vertebrates. In humans, it is located in the abdomen behind the stomach and functions as a gland. The pancreas is a mixed or heterocrine gland, i.e. it has both an en ...
and the posterior wall of the
stomach. This is commonly done for
Whipple procedures,
distal pancreatectomy, some forms of the
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, and
exploratory laparotomy.
References
External links
* - "Abdominal Cavity: The Greater Omentum"
Description at umich.edu
Abdomen
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