Quick Facts
Origin: The celiac trunk.
Course: Superiorly towards the esophagus and descends along the lesser curvature of the stomach.
Branches: Esophageal branches and branches to the lesser curvature of the stomach.
Supplied Structures: Abdominal esophagus and lesser curvature of the stomach.
Origin
The left gastric artery originates from the celiac trunk and is the smallest of the three branches.
Course
The left gastric artery first travels superiorly to the left of the midline towards the abdominal esophagus. It passes in the gastropancreatic fold of the lesser omentum, where it lies adjacent to the left suprarenal gland. It continues to the upper portion of the lesser curvature and runs inferiorly along the lesser curvature of the stomach within the lesser omentum.
Finally, it anastomosis with the right gastric artery (a branch of the common hepatic artery) by the angular incisure (or angular notch) at the junction of the body and pylorus of the stomach.
Branches
After the left gastric artery ascends towards the esophagus, it gives at least one esophageal branch at its most superior point. Additional branches from the thoracic aorta and short gastric arteries ensure adequate vasculature to the abdominal esophagus.
As the left gastric artery travels along the lesser curvature of the stomach, it gives off several small branches that supply both the anterior and posterior surfaces.
Supplied Structures
The left gastric artery supplies the anterior and posterior surfaces of the lesser curvature of the stomach. The esophageal branch of the left gastric artery supplies the abdominal esophagus.
