Omental foramen

Updated on Jan 23, 2024

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Latin foramen omentale FMA 14711		TA A10.1.02.403

In human anatomy, the omental foramen (epiploic foramen, foramen of Winslow after the anatomist Jacob B. Winslow, or uncommonly aditus; Latin: Foramen epiploicum), is the passage of communication, or foramen, between the greater sac (general cavity (of the abdomen)), and the lesser sac.

Borders

It has the following borders:

anterior: the free border of the lesser omentum, known as the hepatoduodenal ligament. This has two layers and within these layers are the common bile duct, hepatic artery, and hepatic portal vein. A useful mnemonic to remember these is DAVE: Duct, Artery, Vein, Epiploic foramen.

posterior: the peritoneum covering the inferior vena cava

superior: the peritoneum covering the caudate lobe of the liver

inferior: the peritoneum covering the commencement of the duodenum and the hepatic artery, the latter passing forward below the foramen before ascending between the two layers of the lesser omentum.

left lateral: gastrosplenic ligament and splenorenal ligament

As the portal vein is the most posterior structure in the hepatoduodenal ligament, and the inferior vena cava lies under the posterior wall, the epiploic foramen can be remembered as lying between the two great veins of the abdomen.

References

Omental foramen Wikipedia

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