GASTROEPIPLOIC ARTERIES Meaning and
Definition
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Gastroepiploic arteries, also known as the gastroepiploic vessels or gastro-omental arteries, are a pair of major blood vessels in the human body that supply blood to the stomach and the greater omentum. These arteries are derived from the celiac trunk, an important branch of the abdominal aorta.
The gastroepiploic arteries consist of two main branches: the right gastroepiploic artery and the left gastroepiploic artery. The right branch arises from the gastroduodenal artery, while the left branch originates directly from the splenic artery. Both arteries run along the greater curvature of the stomach, connecting with each other through numerous smaller, connecting blood vessels.
The primary function of the gastroepiploic arteries is to provide a rich blood supply to the stomach and the greater omentum—a fold of fatty tissue that drapes over the intestines. These arteries play a crucial role in supplying oxygen and nutrients to the tissues of the stomach and omentum, promoting their proper function.
In addition to their role in nourishing the gastric tissues, the gastroepiploic arteries also play a potential role in surgical interventions. Surgeons may utilize these arteries for grafts or as a source of blood supply during certain procedures, such as coronary artery bypass grafting, where a healthy artery is used to bypass a diseased coronary artery and restore normal blood flow to the heart.
Common Misspellings for GASTROEPIPLOIC ARTERIES
- fastroepiploic arteries
- vastroepiploic arteries
- bastroepiploic arteries
- hastroepiploic arteries
- yastroepiploic arteries
- tastroepiploic arteries
- gzstroepiploic arteries
- gsstroepiploic arteries
- gwstroepiploic arteries
- gqstroepiploic arteries
- gaatroepiploic arteries
- gaztroepiploic arteries
- gaxtroepiploic arteries
- gadtroepiploic arteries
- gaetroepiploic arteries
- gawtroepiploic arteries
- gasrroepiploic arteries
- gasfroepiploic arteries
- gasgroepiploic arteries
- gasyroepiploic arteries
Etymology of GASTROEPIPLOIC ARTERIES
The word "gastroepiploic arteries" can be broken down into two parts: "gastro" and "epiploic".
- "Gastro-" derives from the Greek word "gastēr", meaning "stomach". It is commonly used as a prefix in medical terminology related to the stomach or gastric functions.
- "Epiploic" originates from the Greek word "epiplōon", referring to an apron or a hanging flap. In anatomy, "epiploic" is used to describe structures associated with the omentum, a fold of peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity). The omentum is often described as having an apron-like appearance.
Therefore, the term "gastroepiploic arteries" refers to the blood vessels that supply the stomach and the omentum.
