The gastrocolic ligament is a portion of the
greater omentum
The greater omentum (also the great omentum, omentum majus, gastrocolic omentum, epiploon, or, especially in animals, caul) is a large apron-like fold of visceral peritoneum that hangs down from the stomach. It extends from the greater curvature ...
that stretches from the greater curvature of the stomach to the
transverse colon. It forms part of the anterior wall of the
lesser sac
The lesser sac, also known as the omental bursa, is a part of the peritoneal cavity that is formed by the lesser and greater omentum. Usually found in mammals, it is connected with the greater sac via the omental foramen or ''Foramen of Wins ...
.
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 ...
and the posterior wall 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 ...
. This is commonly done for
Whipple procedures,
distal pancreatectomy
In medicine, a pancreatectomy is the surgery, surgical removal of all or part of the pancreas. Several types of pancreatectomy exist, including pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure), distal pancreatectomy, segmental pancreatectomy, and tot ...
, 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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