CoursesAnatomyAbdomenNerves, vessels and lymphatics of the abdomenArteries of the stomach, liver and gallbladder

CoursesAnatomyAbdomenNerves, vessels and lymphatics of the abdomenArteries of the stomach, liver and gallbladder

Arteries of the stomach, liver and gallbladder

Learning objectives

After going through this study unit, you will be able to:

Describe the arterial supply of the stomach, liver and gallbladder.
Name the main arteries and their branches that supply these organs.
Visualize the course of these arteries and their anatomical relations.

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The abdominal aorta and its branches supply the organs of the abdomen with oxygenated blood. One of its major branches is the celiac trunk which arises from the abdominal aorta at the level of the vertebra T12. It gives off three major branches known as the left gastric, common hepatic and splenic arteries which supply the abdominal foregut, liver, gallbladder, pancreas and spleen.

The stomach is supplied by branches of the celiac trunk, which include the right and left gastric, right and left gastroomental, short gastric and posterior gastric arteries. The liver is supplied by the common hepatic artery and, interestingly, also by the hepatic portal vein. The hepatic arteries brings oxygenated blood to the hepatic tissues while the hepatic portal vein carries deoxygenated but otherwise nutrient-rich blood from the gastrointestinal tract and the spleen to the liver. The main arterial supply to the gallbladder is the cystic artery which is a branch of the right hepatic artery.

This video tutorial will help you to understand the arterial supply of the stomach, liver and gallbladder learning the key facts about the blood vessels that are involved in it.

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Browse atlas

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Summary

Key facts about the arteries of the stomach, liver and gallbladder
Stomach	Right gastric artery: arises from proper hepatic artery, forms anastomosis with left gastric artery; supplies lesser curvature, anterior and posterior sides of the stomach Left gastric artery: arises from common hepatic artery, forms anastomosis with right gastric artery; supplies lesser curvature, cardia, right upper and posterior walls Right gastroomental (gastroepiploic) artery: arises from gastroduodenal artery; forms anastomosis with left gastroomental artery and supplies inferior part of greater curvature Left gastroomental (gastroepiploic) artery: arises from splenic artery; forms anastomosis with right gastroomental artery and supplies superior part of greater curvature Short and posterior gastric arteries: arise from splenic artery; supply fundus and posterior wall of stomach Gastroduodenal artery: arises from common hepatic artery; supplies pyloric part
Liver	Common hepatic artery: originates from the celiac trunk, supplies liver (via proper hepatic artery → right/left hepatic arteries) (Hepatic portal vein: transports blood from stomach, intestines, pancreas and spleen into the liver for filtration and processing)
Gallbladder	Cystic artery: arises from right hepatic artery, supplies the gallbladder, common hepatic duct, cystic duct and the proximal part of the common bile duct

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