Left Gastroepiploic Vein, Lateral View

Description

Along the greater curvature of the stomach, the left gastroepiploic (left gastro-omental) vein courses within the greater omentum, running from left to right and collecting venous tributaries from the adjacent gastric wall. Lateral to the stomach, the spleen sits in the left hypochondrium, and venous branches on its visceral surface converge toward the splenic hilum, where the splenic vein forms and passes medially toward the pancreas. Superiorly the fundus abuts the diaphragm, while the greater curvature lies inferior and anterior, framing the route of the gastroepiploic venous arcade. For teaching and operative planning, this lateral perspective clarifies how the left gastroepiploic vein relates to the short gastric veins near the gastrosplenic ligament and to the splenic hilum where vascular control becomes crowded. Bleeding here is common. During splenectomy or mobilization of the greater curvature (including sleeve gastrectomy or left-sided gastric resections), the left gastroepiploic vein is frequently divided, and its proximity to the tail of the pancreas explains why traction or misapplied clips can turn a straightforward ligation into pancreatic injury or postoperative hemorrhage. Portal hypertension adds another layer, because gastro-omental and short gastric varices can enlarge along this same corridor and complicate dissection. Surgical anatomy courses, GI anatomy labs, and operative atlases can use this artwork to annotate venous drainage of the stomach and spleen, trace tributaries into the splenic vein and portal system, and explain safe windows for ligation along the greater curvature. It also supports radiology and endoscopy teaching when correlating left upper quadrant varices or splenic hilar congestion with expected venous pathways. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.