Lesser omentum 2665949 205321223 2008-04-13T13:18:31Z Thijs!bot 1392310 robot Adding: [[nl:Omentum minus]] {{Infobox Anatomy | Name = Lesser omentum | Latin = omentum minus | GraySubject = 246 | GrayPage = 1156 | Image = Gray984.png | Caption = The primitive mesentery of a six weeks’ human embryo, half schematic. (Lesser omentum labeled at left.) | Image2 = Gray1104.png | Caption2 = Schematic and enlarged cross-section through the body of a human embryo in the region of the mesogastrium, at end of third month. | Precursor = | System = | Artery = | Vein = | Nerve = | Lymph = | MeshName = Omentum | MeshNumber = A01.047.025.600.573 | DorlandsPre = o_03 | DorlandsSuf = 12589823 | }} The '''lesser omentum''' (small omentum; gastrohepatic omentum) is the double layer of [[peritoneum]] that extends from the [[liver]] to the lesser curvature of the [[stomach]] and the start of the [[duodenum]]. == Structure == The lesser omentum is extremely thin, and is continuous with the two layers of [[peritoneum]] which cover respectively the antero-superior and postero-inferior surfaces of the stomach and first part of the duodenum. When these two layers reach the [[lesser curvature of the stomach]] and the upper border of the duodenum, they join together and ascend as a double fold to the [[porta hepatis]]. To the left of the porta the fold is attached to the bottom of the fossa for the [[ductus venosus]], along which it is carried to the diaphragm, where the two layers separate to embrace the end of the esophagus. At the right border of the lesser omentum the two layers are continuous, and form a free margin which constitutes the anterior boundary of the [[epiploic foramen]]. == Divisions == Anatomically, the lesser omentum is divided into ligaments, each starting with the prefix "hepato" to indicate that it connects to the liver at one end. Most sources divide it into two parts:<ref>{{NormanAnatomy|abdominalcavity}} ({{NormanAnatomyFig|peritoneumonsagcut}}, {{NormanAnatomyFig|xsectthrulesseromentum}})</ref> * [[hepatogastric ligament]]: the portion connecting to the lesser curvature of the stomach * [[hepatoduodenal ligament]]: the portion connecting to the duodenum Some sources include additional divisions: * [[hepatophrenic ligament]]: the portion connecting to the [[thoracic diaphragm]]<ref>{{SUNYAnatomyLabs|38|st|03|04}} - "Stomach, Spleen and Liver: Ligaments"</ref> * [[hepatoesophageal ligament]]: the portion connecting to the [[esophagus]]<ref>{{SUNYAnatomyLabs|37|05|01|03}} - "Abdominal Cavity: The Lesser Omentum"</ref> == Contents == Between the two layers of the lesser omentum, close to the right free margin, are the [[hepatic artery]], the [[common bile duct]], the [[portal vein]], [[lymphatics]], and the [[hepatic plexus]] of nerves—all these structures being enclosed in a fibrous capsule ([[Glisson's capsule]]). Between the layers of the lesser omentum, where they are attached to the stomach, run the right and left [[gastric arteries]], as well as the [[gastric veins]]. ==Additional images== <gallery> Image:Gray990.png|Diagrams to illustrate the development of the greater omentum and transverse mesocolon. Image:Gray1039.png|Horizontal disposition of the peritoneum in the upper part of the abdomen. </gallery> ==See also== * [[Peritoneum]] * [[Greater omentum]] ==References== <references/> ==External links== * {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|37|04|01}} - "The stomach and lesser omentum." * {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|37|05|01|00}} - "Abdominal Cavity: The Lesser Omentum" * {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|38|03|01|02}} - "Stomach, Spleen and Liver: Contents of the Hepatoduodenal Ligament" * {{SUNYAnatomyImage|7|8|23}} * {{SUNYAnatomyImage|8|1|47}} * {{UMichAnatomyModule|peritoneal_dev_module/peritoneal_06}} {{Gray's}} {{Peritoneum}} [[Category:Abdomen]] [[de:Omentum minus]] [[la:Omentum minus]] [[nl:Omentum minus]] [[pl:Sieć mniejsza]] [[pt:Omento menor]]