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Lesser omentum

The lesser omentum is a double-layered fold of peritoneum that extends from the lesser curvature of the stomach and the proximal portion of the duodenum to the porta hepatis of the liver, serving as a key structure in the anterior wall of the lesser sac. It is divided into two main components: the hepatogastric ligament, which connects the lesser curvature of the stomach to the visceral surface of the liver, and the hepatoduodenal ligament, which links the proximal duodenum (duodenal bulb) to the liver and forms the anterior boundary of the epiploic (omental) foramen. The hepatoduodenal ligament has a free edge that contains the critical portal triad, consisting of the hepatic portal vein, proper hepatic artery, and common bile duct, while the hepatogastric ligament encloses branches of the left gastric artery and vein, as well as vagal nerve fibers and lymph nodes. Functionally, the lesser omentum provides a conduit for these essential vascular, biliary, and neural structures to reach the liver and organs, while also helping to compartmentalize the by separating the from the omental (). Embryologically, it derives from the ventral of the , specifically the , and persists as the rotates during development. Clinically, the lesser omentum is significant in surgical procedures involving the upper , such as gastric resections or bariatric surgeries, where to the portal triad or dissection may be required, and its structures can be landmarks for identifying the epiploic foramen to avoid iatrogenic .

Anatomy

Structure and attachments

The lesser omentum is a double-layered peritoneal fold that extends from the of the liver to the lesser curvature of the and the proximal portion of the . It forms a thin, transparent sheet of that is continuous with the visceral overlying the , , and liver, providing a supportive in the upper . featuring a free right margin that defines key anatomical boundaries. The superior border attaches to the liver along the and the fissure for the , anchoring the structure posteriorly to the hepatic visceral surface. The inferior border adheres to the lesser curvature of the and the first part of the . In terms of positional relationships, the lesser omentum forms the anterior boundary of the omental (epiploic) foramen, through which the greater and lesser peritoneal sacs communicate. It lies anterior to the caudate lobe of the liver and the portal structures within the hepatoduodenal region, contributing to the compartmentalization of the upper without enclosing specific contents in this configuration.

Divisions

The lesser omentum is divided into two primary ligamentous components: the and the hepatoduodenal ligament. These divisions arise from the peritoneal structure extending between the liver and the proximal , with the hepatogastric portion being the larger and generally thinner part, while the hepatoduodenal is smaller but thicker. The extends from the fissure for the and the of the liver to the lesser curvature of the . It represents the medial and leftward portion of the lesser omentum, consisting of two layers of enclosing variable amounts of and fat, and it contains branches of the gastric vessels. The hepatoduodenal ligament forms the thicker, free-margin portion of the lesser omentum, connecting the of the liver to the proximal portion of the , approximately the first 2 cm beyond the . This rightward and lateral division serves as a key surgical landmark due to its distinct structure and position, forming the anterior boundary of the omental (epiploic) . The boundary between these divisions occurs at the level of the , where the hepatogastric ligament transitions laterally to the hepatoduodenal ligament as it extends toward the . In terms of nomenclature, the is sometimes referred to synonymously as the gastrohepatic ligament.

Contents

Vascular structures

The lesser omentum serves as a conduit for several key arterial and venous structures, primarily divided between its hepatogastric and hepatoduodenal components. In the , which extends along the lesser curvature of the from the to the , the right gastric artery and its accompanying vein course distally within the peritoneal layers to supply the pyloric region and anastomose with the left gastric vessels. The left gastric artery and vein, originating from the celiac trunk, traverse the proximal portion of the near the , providing vascular supply to the cardia and fundus of the while draining into the . The hepatoduodenal ligament, forming the thickened free margin of the lesser omentum between the and the superior , contains the and the as central components of the portal triad. The , a continuation of the , ascends through this ligament to deliver oxygenated blood to the liver, while the conveys nutrient-rich blood from the and , constituting approximately 75% of the liver's blood supply. These vessels are enveloped in a sheath of within the ligament, facilitating their protected passage to the hepatic hilum. Anatomical variants of these vessels may occur, potentially altering surgical approaches. For instance, an accessory or replaced right hepatic artery arising from the can pass through the hepatoduodenal ligament posterior to the , with a prevalence of up to 20% in cadaveric studies, necessitating preoperative imaging to avoid inadvertent injury. Similarly, an aberrant left hepatic artery may originate from the within the hepatogastric ligament, observed in about 23% of cases and measuring 3-5 mm in diameter. In , the venous structures of the lesser omentum, particularly the left gastric (coronary) vein in the , undergo dilation to form , serving as portosystemic collaterals that can lead to esophageal or gastric variceal if untreated. Aberrant right gastric veins may also enlarge, potentially causing pseudolesions on imaging such as in segment IV of the liver.

Biliary, nervous, and lymphatic components

The lesser omentum, particularly its hepatoduodenal ligament component, serves as a conduit for key biliary structures, including the , which descends within the free margin of the hepatoduodenal ligament, positioned anterior to the . This arrangement facilitates the transport of from the liver toward the , with the duct formed by the union of the and the . The , originating from the neck of the , joins the just distal to the , also traversing the hepatoduodenal ligament to contribute to the formation of the near the neck. Innervation of the lesser omentum is provided by the hepatic plexus, a network of autonomic nerves that accompanies the portal triad structures within the ligament and extends into the liver's Glisson's capsule. This plexus comprises sympathetic fibers derived from the and parasympathetic fibers from the anterior and posterior vagus nerves, enabling regulation of biliary and hepatic functions through efferent pathways, while also carrying visceral afferent sensory fibers for pain transmission. Lymphatic vessels within the lesser omentum drain interstitial fluid from the , liver, and , coalescing into collecting vessels that pass through the toward nodes situated at the hepatic hilum. These nodes, positioned along the hepatic artery and , receive from the portal tracts and biliary before efferent vessels proceed to the and ultimately the .

Embryology

Developmental origin

The lesser omentum originates from the ventral mesogastrium, an early embryonic fold of mesoderm that forms between the developing foregut (including the stomach and duodenum) and the liver primordium within the septum transversum. This structure arises as a double layer of visceral peritoneum suspending the primitive gut tube and anchoring it to the anterior abdominal wall during the initial stages of gastrointestinal development. Formation of the lesser omentum occurs primarily between weeks 4 and 5 of , coinciding with the outgrowth of the hepatic into the ventral . As the liver bud expands, it divides the ventral mesogastrium into distinct components: the develops from the attachment to the lesser curvature of the , while the hepatoduodenal ligament forms from the connection to the proximal . The positioning of the lesser omentum is influenced by the rotation of the and , which begins around week 5 and establishes its final orientation at the . During this 90-degree clockwise rotation of the , the ventral mesogastrium is reshaped and pulled toward the liver, defining the omentum's attachments. A notable persistent within the lesser omentum is the , which represents the obliterated remnant of the fetal and lies along the free margin of the lesser omentum in the fissure for the . Congenital variations of the lesser omentum are uncommon and primarily involve structural defects or anomalous positioning of its components, often arising during embryonic from the ventral mesogastrium. One such rare is a congenital fissure or defect in the associated with , which can result in internal herniation of the . These defects are typically incidental findings during imaging or surgery and have a low incidence, with case reports highlighting their association with congenital weaknesses in the peritoneal folds. Anomalous positioning within the portal triad, particularly in the hepatoduodenal ligament, represents another key variation, such as a replaced right hepatic artery originating from the and typically coursing posteriorly along the . This variant alters the standard arrangement where the hepatic artery typically lies to the right of the , potentially complicating hepatobiliary procedures if unrecognized. Vascular anomalies of this type occur in approximately 10-20% of the , with the replaced right hepatic artery specifically noted in about 10-13% of cases, and are usually detected via preoperative or intraoperative exploration. Cystic biliary malformations, including , are congenital lesions that can involve the extrahepatic bile ducts within the hepatoduodenal ligament. These are rare, with an overall incidence of 1 in 100,000 to 150,000 individuals, and can manifest as fusiform or saccular expansions. Diagnosis often relies on , MRCP, or imaging, which reveal the cystic structures and their relation to the portal triad components.

Function

Structural support

The lesser omentum functions primarily as an anchoring structure, connecting the lesser curvature of the and the proximal portion of the to the liver, which stabilizes these organs relative to one another and maintains their positions within the upper . This attachment, mediated by the hepatogastric and hepatoduodenal ligaments, prevents excessive of the and during peristaltic movements and respiratory excursions, ensuring coordinated gastrointestinal function. By these viscera, the lesser omentum contributes to the overall mechanical integrity of the , allowing limited mobility while resisting undue torsion or migration. In addition to its anchoring role, the lesser omentum delineates the anterior boundary of the (omental bursa), a key peritoneal recess posterior to the , thereby aiding in the compartmentalization of the and facilitating the separation of abdominal spaces. This boundary formation supports the structural organization of the upper , where the lesser omentum acts as a partition that integrates with surrounding peritoneal folds to contain and direct intra-abdominal pressures. Unlike the , which exhibits greater mobility and extends broadly to envelop lower abdominal viscera for protective coverage, the lesser omentum remains more fixed in position, emphasizing targeted stability in the hepatogastric region rather than diffuse peritoneal support.

Conduit for vessels and ducts

The lesser omentum serves as a critical conduit for the portal triad, which comprises the hepatic artery, , and , all bundled within its hepatoduodenal ligament to ensure coordinated delivery of oxygenated blood, nutrient-rich , and to and from the liver. This arrangement optimizes hepatobiliary flow by minimizing the distance and protecting these structures as they traverse from the and toward the . In addition to vascular elements, the lesser omentum facilitates lymphatic drainage and neural transit from foregut-derived organs such as the , , and liver to the systemic circulation. Lymphatic vessels and nodes, including hepatic and gastric varieties, course through its layers, enabling the collection and transport of interstitial fluid and immune cells from these regions. Branches of the also travel within the hepatogastric portion, providing parasympathetic innervation that integrates with broader autonomic pathways. This conduit role underpins key physiological processes, including nutrient absorption via the , which channels postprandial blood from the to the liver for metabolic processing, and bile excretion through the , which delivers hepatic secretions to the for lipid emulsification. The vagal fibers support gastric and secretion, ensuring efficient function. Collectively, these pathways promote seamless hepatogastrointestinal integration. The lesser omentum harbors mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that contribute to local tissue repair, though their density and regenerative capacity are less pronounced compared to those in the adipose-rich . These MSCs, capable of differentiating into multiple lineages and modulating , aid in and vascular support within the upper abdominal compartment.

Clinical significance

Surgical relevance

The lesser omentum serves as a critical in hepatobiliary , particularly through its hepatoduodenal component, which is clamped during the Pringle to control hepatic bleeding by temporarily occluding inflow to the liver via the portal triad. This technique, involving compression of the hepatoduodenal —the free edge of the lesser omentum containing the , hepatic artery, and —reduces blood loss during liver resections or management, with studies showing effective inflow occlusion in intermittent applications. Access to the portal triad is facilitated by opening the lesser omentum during procedures such as , where the hepatoduodenal ligament is dissected to expose and isolate the cystic structures for safe removal, minimizing risks of injury. Similarly, in , the lesser omentum is mobilized and divided to allow precise of the , hepatic artery, and , addressing variations in vascular anatomy that occur in up to 20% of cases and ensuring graft viability. In laparoscopic surgery, the thin, avascular nature of the lesser omentum enables straightforward visualization and dissection, particularly in bariatric procedures like gastric bypass, where it is incised along the lesser curvature to mobilize the for pouch creation without compromising accessory vessels. This approach reduces operative time and postoperative complications compared to open techniques. Historically, the lesser omentum was described in (1918 edition) as a duplicature of extending from the 's lesser curvature to the liver's , emphasizing its role in enclosing key vessels. Modern preoperative planning benefits from and MRI, which delineate the lesser omentum's contents and attachments to guide surgical access and avoid iatrogenic injury.

Pathological conditions

The lesser omentum is rarely affected by torsion or , conditions that arise due to the mobility of its free margins, leading to vascular compromise and presenting as acute mimicking other surgical emergencies. Torsion typically occurs in the gastrohepatic or hepatoduodenal portions, with resulting from or twisting that occludes blood supply, often requiring prompt surgical intervention to prevent . These vascular pathologies are exceedingly uncommon, with fewer than 20 reported cases of primary lesser omental torsion in the literature. Metastatic involvement of the lesser omentum is a frequent complication in advanced malignancies, particularly gastric and , where tumor cells spread directly through its peritoneal surfaces or lymphatics. In , especially of the head, the lymph nodes within the hepatoduodenal ligament—a key component of the lesser omentum—are commonly affected, with metastatic rates exceeding 50% in regional nodal stations such as those along the . This involvement contributes to disease staging and prognosis, often manifesting as nodular masses or detectable on imaging. Cysts and abscesses in the lesser omentum can arise from parasitic infections, such as hydatid cysts caused by , which may form isolated lesions within its folds, leading to or rupture. Inflammatory abscesses, often secondary to adjacent infections like perforated peptic ulcers or amebic , localize in the lesser omental and present with fever, pain, and . Biliary-related pathologies, including those associated with in the hepatoduodenal , can result in cystic dilatations or inflammatory collections that distort the lesser omentum's structure. Diagnostic approaches for lesser omental pathologies primarily rely on cross-sectional imaging, with serving as the modality of choice for identifying torsion (e.g., whirl sign), masses, or fluid collections due to its high sensitivity for omental diseases. provides additional soft-tissue characterization, particularly for cystic or neoplastic lesions, while is often performed laparoscopically to confirm or in ambiguous cases.

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