TA A12.2.12.013 | Dorlands/Elsevier a_61/12154342 FMA 14768 | |
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Latin arteria gastrica sinistra | ||
In human anatomy, the left gastric artery arises from the celiac artery and runs along the superior portion of the lesser curvature of the stomach. Branches also supply the lower esophagus. The left gastric artery anastomoses with the right gastric artery, which runs right to left.
Pathology
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.
In cases of portal hypertension, anastamoses with the esophageal branches of this artery shunt blood from portal circulation to systemic circulation. This can lead to a potentially life-threatening condition known as esophageal varices.