The stomach is supplied by a rich system of arteries derived from the celiac trunk, the first major visceral branch of the abdominal aorta.
The lesser curvature of the stomach is supplied by the left and right gastric artery, which are branches of the celiac trunk and the common hepatic artery respectively. The greater curvature is supplied by the left and right gastro-omental (gastro-epiploic) arteries, which originate from the splenic and gastroduodenal arteries respectively.
Each of these pairs of arteries form an arterial anastomosis, which means the arteries come together and share a supply territory ?. This is an important organization, as blood will still be delivered to a particular territory, even if one of its many arteries are occluded, which is most commonly seen in older patients.
The fundus and upper part of the body of the stomach is supplied by the short and posterior gastric branches of the splenic artery while the pylorus of the stomach is supplied by the gastroduodenal artery, a branch of the common hepatic artery.
Because the stomach has a rich blood supply, breakdown of the stomach wall can lead to profuse bleeding with some consequences. ?
Under normal conditions, a balance exists between the secretion of acid in the stomach, and the protective factors (such as the gastric mucosal barrier) along the inner lining of the stomach and duodenum. A disruption of this physiologic balance leads to damage of this inner lining, known as a peptic ulcer.
Peptic ulcers are the most common cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The loss of blood can occur over a long period of time, leading to anaemia, or it can be rapid, resulting in haemodynamic compromise – a situation which requires urgent medical and surgical intervention.
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