Greater omentum
Learning objectives
This study unit will help you:
- Learn about the peritoneum and its folds.
- Learn about the structure and functions of the greater omentum.
- Identify the organs that are related to the greater omentum.
Watch videos
The peritoneum is a continuous two-layered serous membrane composed of a parietal and a visceral layer. The omenta are fused peritoneal folds that connect the intraperitoneal organs to each other. The greater omentum is the largest, apron-like peritoneal fold which extends from the greater curvature of the stomach and duodenum to the posterior abdominal wall. The greater omentum is a site of fat deposition and functions to protect the abdominal organs by cushioning them and activating the immune response, as well as contributing to reparative processes.
This video tutorial will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the greater omentum and its functions.
Take a quiz
Now that you have watched the video about the greater omentum, you can test what you have learned with our specially designed quiz.
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Browse atlas
:watermark(/images/watermark_5000_10percent.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/overview_image/1093/sVubemBRyacMgFxQm6AZw_greater-omentum_english.jpg "The greater omentum is a four-layered peritoneal fold that hangs like an apron covering the abdominal organs. From left to right, the upper margin of the greater omentum is continuous with the gastrosplenic ligament, greater curvature of the stomach and the proximal part of the duodenum. It descends inferiorly over the transverse colon, jejunum and ileum. The omentum then turns posteriorly, passing anterior to the transverse colon and transverse mesocolon to attach to the posterior abdominal wall. The right margin of the greater omentum is usually attached to the hepatic flexure and upper portion of the ascending colon. Its left margin is sometimes attached to the anterior surface of the descending colon. The greater omentum is vascularized by the gastroomental arteries, and the blood is drained by gastroomental veins, which run between its layers."){kind=logo}
Take a look at each structure individually with our image gallery:
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/omentum-majus-5/A2XAtRqsEw6q50mWiWgwg_Greater_omentum.png "Greater omentum (Omentum majus); 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/greater-omentum-7/Z9B3HThlDTIC71PrfDC1Q_greater-omentum-7.jpg "Greater omentum (Omentum majus); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/ligamentum-gastrosplenicum-3/5uxkLijgNcSmGqnx8X43uQ_Ligamentum_gastrosplenicum_1.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/curvatura-gastrica-major/414VO6ZYPX3zfcKZlySR3g_Curvatura_gastrica_major.png "Greater curvature of stomach (Curvatura major gastris); 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/duodenum-3/myPj7MnHPm6gCh8WX4Py4w_Duodenum.png "Duodenum; 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/colon-ascendens-5/n1pHnhbOqKHUef408Nh08w_Ascending_colon.png "Ascending colon (Colon ascendens); 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/flexura-coli-dextra-2/hoPSfb8PaPCdBdSIeN08Q_Flexura_coli_dextra_01.png "Right colic flexure (Flexura dextra coli); 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/colon-transversum-6/9xd6IjKroOJKn8XyA87Fyw_Transverse_colon.png "Transverse colon (Colon transversum); 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/descending-colon/fbaBOLMjgXr1meHhmQkvQ_Colon_descendens_02.png "Descending colon (Colon descendens); 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/flexura-coli-sinistra-4/zBqIoTZTbiUL8P8dpfRxFw_Left_colic_flexure_magnified.png "Left colic flexure (Flexura sinistra coli); 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/ileum-2/fHPwvQ6QBRM7r39YTA6UzQ_Ileum.png "Ileum; 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/jejunum-4/88ADIGxLBkN5Uk62yWVQ_Jejunum_estimated_01.png "Jejunum; 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/mesocolon-transversum-2/iEmIeg6DgK2gyMYUYWVE7g_Mescolon_transversum_01.png "Transverse mesocolon (Mesocolon transversum); 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/arteria-gastroomentalis-sinistra/o1AYlnRWuX8uAQWWWLYw_A._gastroomentalis_sinistra_01.png "Left gastroomental artery (Arteria gastroomentalis sinistra); 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/arteria-gastroomentalis-dextra/yBLyiRJmuej3FSyJeVg_A._gastroomentalis_dextra_01.png "Right gastroomental artery (Arteria gastroomentalis dextra); 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/venae-gastroepiploicae/GMtbuEWb68qopPUQEtwp3g_Gastroomental_veins.png "Gastroomental veins (Venae gastroomentales); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
| Definition | The greater omentum is the largest peritoneal fold located in the abdominal cavity. |
| Blood supply | Right gastroomental artery, left gastroomental artery |
| Venous drainage | Right gastroomental vein, left gastroomental vein |
| Related organs | Stomach, duodenum, colon, jejunum, ileum |
| Function | Site of fat deposition, protection, reparation |
Well done!
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