From the Research
The right gastroepiploic artery is primarily supplied by the gastroduodenal artery, which originates from the common hepatic artery, a branch of the celiac trunk, as described in the most recent and relevant study 1.
Arterial Supply
The gastroduodenal artery descends behind the first part of the duodenum and divides into two terminal branches: the right gastroepiploic artery and the superior pancreaticoduodenal artery.
- The right gastroepiploic artery runs along the greater curvature of the stomach within the greater omentum, supplying both the stomach and the greater omentum.
- It eventually anastomoses with the left gastroepiploic artery, which comes from the splenic artery, forming an important vascular arcade along the greater curvature of the stomach.
Clinical Relevance
This vascular arrangement ensures adequate blood supply to the stomach and allows for collateral circulation if one of the feeding vessels becomes compromised, as noted in studies discussing alternative vascular routes for surgical procedures 2.
Anatomical Variations
Although anatomical variations exist, such as the right gastroepiploic artery arising from the superior mesenteric artery 3, the primary and most common supply is through the gastroduodenal artery, emphasizing the importance of understanding typical anatomy for surgical planning and intervention, as highlighted in the context of hepatopancreaticobiliary surgery 1.