In human anatomy, the left gastric artery arises from the

celiac artery The celiac () artery (also spelled ''coeliac''), also known as the celiac trunk or truncus coeliacus, is the first major branch of the abdominal aorta. It is about 1.25 cm in length. Branching from the aorta at thoracic vertebra 12 (T12) in ...

and runs along the superior portion of the

lesser curvature The curvatures of the stomach refer to the greater and lesser curvatures. The greater curvature of the stomach is four or five times as long as the lesser curvature. Greater curvature The greater curvature of the stomach forms the lower left ...

of the

stomach The stomach is a muscular, hollow organ in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and many other animals, including several invertebrates. The stomach has a dilated structure and functions as a vital organ in the digestive system. The stomach i ...

. Branches also supply the lower

esophagus The esophagus ( American English) or oesophagus (British English; both ), non-technically known also as the food pipe or gullet, is an organ in vertebrates through which food passes, aided by peristaltic contractions, from the pharynx to ...

. The left gastric artery anastomoses with the

right gastric artery The right gastric artery arises, in most cases (53% of cases), from the proper hepatic artery, descends to the pyloric end of the stomach, and passes from right to left along its lesser curvature, supplying it with branches, and anastomosing with ...

, which runs right to left. Important to note is that the esophageal branch of the left gastric artery ascends and passes through the

esophageal hiatus In human anatomy, the esophageal hiatus is an opening in the diaphragm through which the esophagus and the vagus nerve pass. Structure It is located in the right crus, one of the two tendinous structures that connect the diaphragm to the spine ...

Clinical significance

In terms of disease, the left gastric artery may be involved in

peptic ulcer disease Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a break in the inner lining of the stomach, the first part of the small intestine, or sometimes the lower esophagus. An ulcer in the stomach is called a gastric ulcer, while one in the first part of the intestines ...

: if an ulcer erodes through the stomach mucosa into a branch of the artery, this can cause massive

blood loss Bleeding, hemorrhage, haemorrhage or blood loss, is blood escaping from the circulatory system from damaged blood vessels. Bleeding can occur internally, or externally either through a natural opening such as the mouth, nose, ear, urethra, v ...

into the

, which may result in such symptoms as

hematemesis Hematemesis is the vomiting of blood. It is always an important sign. It can be confused with hemoptysis (coughing up blood) or epistaxis (nosebleed), which are more common. The source is generally the upper gastrointestinal tract, typically abo ...

melaena Melena or melaena refers to the dark black, tarry feces that are associated with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The black color and characteristic strong odor are caused by hemoglobin in the blood being altered by digestive enzymes and intest ...

Additional images

File:Stomach blood supply.svg, Blood supply to the stomach: left and

, left and

right gastro-omental artery The right gastroepiploic artery (or right gastro-omental artery) is one of the two terminal branches of the gastroduodenal artery. It runs from right to left along the greater curvature of the stomach, between the layers of the greater omentum, an ...

and

short gastric artery The short gastric arteries consist of from five to seven small branches, which arise from the end of the splenic artery, and from its terminal divisions. They pass from left to right, between the layers of the gastrolienal ligament, and are dis ...

.Essential Clinical Anatomy. K.L. Moore & A.M. Agur. Lippincott, 2 ed. 2002. Page 150 File:Gray533.png, The celiac artery and its branches; the stomach has been raised and the peritoneum removed. File:TIEU 0442.gif, Arteries and veins around the pancreas and spleen.

References

External links

* - "Stomach, Spleen and Liver: The Right and Left Gastric Artery" * *
Branching at uhrad.com
{{Authority control Arteries of the abdomen Stomach