Stomach Veins, Posterior View

Description

Seen from a posterior perspective, the male stomach is rendered in its typical J configuration with the abdominal esophagus entering superiorly at the cardia and the pylorus continuing into the proximal duodenum inferiorly and to the right. Blue venous channels course over the posterior gastric wall along the greater and lesser curvatures, including tributaries consistent with the left and right gastric veins on the lesser curvature and the left and right gastro-omental (gastroepiploic) veins on the greater curvature. Short gastric veins cluster toward the fundus near the splenic end, while posterior gastric venous branches track across the body toward the portal venous drainage. Orientation is clear. Posterior gastric venous anatomy matters because it explains how upper gastrointestinal bleeding reaches the portal system and where portosystemic collateral pathways can enlarge. In portal hypertension, dilated veins at the gastroesophageal junction (via left gastric venous drainage) underpin esophageal and gastric varices, and posterior fundal varices often relate to short gastric outflow toward the splenic vein. A posterior view also matches the operative reality during mobilization of the greater curvature and fundus, where ligation of the short gastric vessels and gastro-omental vessels must respect adjacent splenic hilar vasculature and the posterior gastric wall. Use this artwork in gross anatomy and GI physiology teaching to connect venous drainage territories to the portal vein and to the esophagogastric junction. It also fits surgical education materials on sleeve gastrectomy, fundoplication, and devascularization procedures for variceal bleeding, plus clinical diagrams for radiology and endoscopy reports describing gastric varices and collateral pathways. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.