Gastric arteries

Gastric arteries are blood vessels that supply the stomach with oxygenated blood. They are part of the circulatory system and play a crucial role in the digestive system.

Etymology

The term "gastric" comes from the Greek word "gaster," which means stomach. "Artery" is derived from the Latin word "arteria," which means air holder.

Anatomy

The gastric arteries include the left gastric artery, the right gastric artery, and the short gastric arteries.

The left gastric artery arises from the celiac artery and runs along the lesser curvature of the stomach. The right gastric artery is a branch of the hepatic artery and also runs along the lesser curvature, meeting the left gastric artery. The short gastric arteries are branches of the splenic artery and supply the upper part of the greater curvature of the stomach.

Function

The primary function of the gastric arteries is to supply oxygenated blood to the stomach. This allows for the efficient functioning of the stomach in the digestion of food.

Clinical significance

Damage to the gastric arteries can lead to gastric bleeding, which can be a life-threatening condition. In addition, blockage of these arteries can lead to gastric ischemia, a condition characterized by an insufficient blood supply to the stomach.

Related terms

• Gastric bypass surgery: A surgical procedure in which the stomach is divided into a small upper pouch and a larger lower pouch, and then the small intestine is rearranged to connect to both.
• Gastric ulcer: A type of peptic ulcer that develops in the lining of the stomach.
• Gastric cancer: A disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the lining of the stomach.

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