In human anatomy, the left gastric artery arises from the celiac artery and runs along[1] the superior portion of[citation needed] the lesser curvature of the stomach before anastomosing with the right gastric artery (which runs right to left[citation needed]). It also issues esophageal branches[1] that supply lower esophagus and ascend through the esophageal hiatus to form anastomoses with the esophageal branches of thoracic part of aorta.[citation needed]

Left gastric artery
The left gastric artery and other branches of the celiac artery (stomach in situ). Left gastric artery identified near lesser curvature.
Left gastric artery is at #2 -- the upper of the two arrows.
Details
SourceCeliac artery
Identifiers
Latinarteria gastrica sinistra
TA98A12.2.12.013
TA24212
FMA14768
Anatomical terminology

Anatomy

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Origin

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The LGA usually arises from (the superior aspect of) the coeliac trunk - sometimes as a terminal branch of a trifurcation, and more rarely as a side branch of the splenic artery or of common hepatic artery. Sometimes it originates directly from aorta or from arteria phrenica inferior.[2]

Course

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From the crus of diaphragm, the LGA arches obliquely anterior-ward and to the left to reach the left curvature of the stomach just inferior to the gastric cardia (thus erecting the gastropancreatic (peritoneal) fold).[2]

Fate

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Upon reaching the cardia, the LGA splits into two terminal branches - a ventral one and a dorsal one - which anastomose with corresponding terminal branches of the right gastric artery, together providing arterial supply to the lesser curvature of the stomach.[2]

Branches

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Besides its terminal ventral branch and dorsal branch, the LGA yields multiple side branches: the left lateral hepatic artery, posterior esophageal artery, anterior esophagocardiotuberous artery, branches to lymph nodes, and omental branches.[2]

Clinical significance

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In terms of disease, the left gastric artery may be involved in peptic ulcer disease: if an ulcer erodes through the stomach mucosa into a branch of the artery, this can cause massive blood loss into the stomach, which may result in such symptoms as hematemesis or melaena.

Additional images

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References

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  1. ^ a b Lung, Kirsten; Lui, Forshing (2022), "Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Arteries", StatPearls, Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, PMID 30247834, retrieved 2023-01-14
  2. ^ a b c d "Artère gastrique gauche - Dictionnaire médical de l'Académie de Médecine". www.academie-medecine.fr. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  3. ^ Essential Clinical Anatomy. K.L. Moore & A.M. Agur. Lippincott, 2 ed. 2002. Page 150
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