Definition

Noun: - A branch of the celiac artery: The left gastric artery is a major blood vessel that originates from the celiac trunk, a primary artery in the abdomen. - Supplies blood to specific digestive organs: Its primary function is to deliver oxygenated blood to the lesser curvature of the stomach and the abdominal portion of the esophagus.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • During the surgery, the surgeon carefully identified and preserved the left gastric artery.
  • A blockage in the left gastric artery can compromise blood flow to the stomach.
  • The anatomy textbook clearly illustrates how the left gastric artery branches from the celiac trunk.

Advanced Usage

• In medical imaging: The term is used when describing findings from angiograms or CT scans.
  • The CT angiography revealed an aneurysm in the left gastric artery.
• In surgical contexts: Referenced during procedures like gastrectomies or bariatric surgery.
  • The surgical plan involves ligating the left gastric artery to resect the tumor.

Variants and Related Words

• Gastric artery: A more general term; the left gastric artery is one of several gastric arteries.
• Celiac artery (or celiac trunk): The parent artery from which the left gastric artery arises.
• Right gastric artery: A different artery that also supplies the stomach's lesser curvature, often anastomosing (connecting) with the left gastric artery.
• Left gastric vein: The vein that typically accompanies the artery, draining blood from the same region.

Synonyms

• Arteria gastrica sinistra: The formal Latin anatomical term.

Related Phrases

• Branch of the celiac artery: A descriptive phrase defining its origin.
• Supply to the lesser curvature: A phrase describing its primary anatomical function and distribution.

Noun

1. a branch of the celiac artery that supplies the lesser curvature of the stomach and the abdominal part of the esophagus