In
human anatomy, the omental foramen (epiploic foramen, foramen of Winslow after the anatomist
Jacob B. Winslow, or uncommonly aditus; la, Foramen epiploicum), is the passage of communication, or foramen, between the
greater sac (general cavity (of the abdomen)), and the
lesser sac.
Borders
It has the following borders:
* ''anterior'': the free border of the
lesser omentum, known as the
hepatoduodenal ligament. This has two layers and within these layers are the
common bile duct,
hepatic artery, and
hepatic portal vein.
* ''posterior'': the
peritoneum covering the
inferior vena cava
* ''superior'': the peritoneum covering the
caudate lobe of the
liver
The liver is a major organ only found in vertebrates which performs many essential biological functions such as detoxification of the organism, and the synthesis of proteins and biochemicals necessary for digestion and growth. In humans, it ...
* ''inferior'': the peritoneum covering the commencement of the
duodenum and the
hepatic artery, the latter passing forward below the foramen before ascending between the two layers of the lesser omentum.
* ''left lateral'':
gastrosplenic ligament and
splenorenal ligament
As the portal vein is the most posterior structure in the hepatoduodenal ligament, and the inferior vena cava lies under the posterior wall, the epiploic foramen can be remembered as lying between the two great veins of the abdomen.
Additional images
File:Gray1035.png , Vertical disposition of the peritoneum. Main cavity, red; omental bursa, blue. (Bristle in omental foramen labeled at upper left.)
File:Gray1040.png, Diagram to show the lines along which the peritoneum leaves the wall of the abdomen to invest the viscera.
File:Slide5ddd.JPG, Epiploic foramen
See also
*
Terms for anatomical location
References
External links
*
* – "Abdominal Cavity: The Omental Foramen"
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{{Authority control
General surgery
Abdomen
Medical mnemonics