Omental bursa
Learning objectives
This study unit will help you to:
- Learn exactly what the omental bursa is and its anatomical position.
- Learn about the structure and function of the omental bursa.
- Identify the organs and neurovascular structures that are related to the omental bursa.
Watch videos
The omental bursa is a large peritoneal recess located in the abdomen formed by a double-layered fold of visceral peritoneum. It is situated posterior to the stomach and lesser omentum, inferior to the liver and anterior to the pancreas. It is also known as the lesser sac, in contrast to the main and larger part of the peritoneal cavity which is referred to as the greater sac. These two cavities are connected by the omental/epiploic foramen (of Winslow). The size of the omental bursa varies greatly, mainly due to the volume of the organs that make up its walls.
This video tutorial will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the omental bursa.
Take a quiz
Now that you have watched the videos about the omental bursa, test what you have learned by taking our quiz.
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:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/paries-posterior-gastris/SYFtn4sKpGC4oRdP9viKg_Paries_posterior_gastris_1.png "Posterior wall of stomach (Paries posterior gastris); Image: Esther Gollan"){kind=logo}
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:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/lesser-omentum/N9XnJBK8ZEXiTvDXO4zHiA_Omentum_minus.png "Lesser omentum (Omentum minus); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
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:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/glandula-suprarenalis-sinistra-3/NLKE5VU8tvxezxkLg7D0pg_Glandula_suprarenalis_sinistra_1.png "Left suprarenal gland (Glandula suprarenalis sinistra); Image: Esther Gollan"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/ren-sinister-4/GtBa04sbssBeZ2tOK7OwQ_Ren_sinister_1.png "Left kidney (Ren sinister); Image: Esther Gollan"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/truncus-coeliacus-3/BQGehKkmFj5rkuDTXfK9zA_Truncus_coeliacus_1.png "Celiac trunk (Truncus coeliacus); Image: Esther Gollan"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/aorta-abdominalis-5/fW9MDD2UhMArYLWpjJd0LA_Aorta_abdominalis_01.png "Abdominal aorta (Aorta abdominalis); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/diaphragm-4/w5pIMzvuBTMfdmtzwTyg_Diaphragm_magnified.png "Diaphragm (Diaphragma); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/gastrosplenic-ligament-2/iGgDy0yoH59HbwbOtX4SkA_Ligamentum_gastrosplenicum_2.png "Gastrosplenic ligament (Ligamentum gastrosplenicum); Image: Esther Gollan"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/splen-lien-3/l49YqyjBjTbac7hI3RZHLw_Lien_1.png "Spleen (Splen); Image: Esther Gollan"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/foramen-omentale-3/UUK9Mn5KJ6DmP93wsMIhlQ_Foramen_omentale_1.png "Omental foramen (Foramen omentale); Image: Esther Gollan"){kind=logo}
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:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/arteria-colica-media-4/uEmgp5xD2V863o1mbVZxg_Arteria_colica_media_1.png "Middle colic artery (Arteria colica media); Image: Esther Gollan"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/arteria-gastrica-sinistra-6/nOCEIoQDbdtxUSpAN12ug_Arteria_gastrica_sinistra_1.png "Left gastric artery (Arteria gastrica sinistra); Image: Esther Gollan"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/arteria-gastroduodenalis-4/Bt22Uh9ESjgzlZWPDAl9Wg_Arteria_gastroduodenalis_1.png "Gastroduodenal artery (Arteria gastroduodenalis); Image: Esther Gollan"){kind=logo}
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:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/common-hepatic-artery-7/7ROVe3S58tkqG7DhdRnyyQ_Arteria_hepatica_communis_2.png "Common hepatic artery (Arteria hepatica communis); Image: Esther Gollan"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/arteria-splenica-9/84Xtl8CzpZA4iLNpFgpmQ_Arteria_lienalis_1.png "Splenic artery (Arteria splenica); Image: Esther Gollan"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/arteria-pancreaticoduodenalis-superior-anterior-3/y7yyZxrfEAXmCUr9eMfzQ_Arteria_pancreaticoduodenalis_superior_anterior_1.png "Anterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery (Arteria pancreaticoduodenalis superior anterior); Image: Esther Gollan"){kind=logo}
Summary
| Definition | Hollow space formed by the greater and lesser omentum and its adjacent organs. |
| Walls |
Anterior: hepatogastric ligament, posterior surface of stomach, posterior layers of the lesser and greater omenta Posterior: transverse colon, transverse mesocolon, pancreas, left suprarenal gland, superior part of the left kidney, abdominal aorta, celiac trunk, diaphragm |
| Borders |
Superior: extends between esophagus and ligamentum venosum Inferior: from gastrosplenic ligament to duodenum Left: gastrosplenic ligament, spleen, phrenicosplenic ligament Right: omental foramen, lesser omentum, greater sac |
| Recesses | Superior omental recess Inferior omental recess Splenic recess |
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