Greater Omentum Overview

Greater Omentum Overview

• Omenta are fused peritoneal folds that connect intraperitoneal organs.
• The greater omentum is the largest peritoneal fold in the abdominal cavity, resembling an apron, extending from the greater curvature of the stomach and duodenum to the posterior abdominal wall.

Functions and Characteristics

• Serves as a site for fat deposition and protects abdominal organs by cushioning them.
• Activates the immune response and contributes to reparative processes in the abdominal cavity.
• Adheres to diseased organs, helping to contain infections.

Blood Supply and Venous Drainage

• Supplied by the right gastroomental artery and left gastroomental artery.
• Venous drainage is through the right gastroomental vein and left gastroomental vein.

Anatomical Attachments

• The anterior sheet of the greater omentum descends from the greater curvature of the stomach.
• The posterior sheet attaches to the transverse colon.

Clinical Relevance

• The splenic artery supplies the body and tail of the pancreas, relevant in cases of pancreatitis.
• Gastroduodenal artery gives rise to the right gastroepiploic artery, critical for blood supply to the greater omentum.
• Ovarian cancer may invade the greater omentum, often necessitating surgical removal along with other reproductive organs.

Surgical and Pathological Associations

• The greater omentum wraps around inflammatory processes, such as in cases of acute appendicitis.
• The left gastroomental vein drains into the splenic vein, indicating a connection between venous drainage routes.

Arterial Relationships

• The right and left gastroomental arteries run along the greater curvature of the stomach, anastomosing and providing numerous branches to the greater omentum.
• The splenic artery also gives rise to the left gastroepiploic artery, enhancing vascular supply to the area.