Omental foramen
Encyclopedia
In human anatomy
, the omental foramen (Epiploic foramen, foramen of Winslow, or uncommonly aditus. Lat: Foramen epiploicum), is the passage of communication, or foramen, between the greater sac
(general cavity (of the abdomen)), and the lesser sac
.
Human anatomy
Human anatomy is primarily the scientific study of the morphology of the human body. Anatomy is subdivided into gross anatomy and microscopic anatomy. Gross anatomy is the study of anatomical structures that can be seen by the naked eye...
, the omental foramen (Epiploic foramen, foramen of Winslow, or uncommonly aditus. Lat: Foramen epiploicum), is the passage of communication, or foramen, between the greater sac
Greater sac
In human anatomy, the greater sac, also known as the general cavity or peritoneum of the peritoneal cavity proper, is the cavity in the abdomen that is inside the peritoneum but outside of the lesser sac....
(general cavity (of the abdomen)), and the lesser sac
Lesser sac
The lesser sac, also known as the omental bursa, is the cavity in the abdomen that is formed by the lesser and greater omentum. Usually found in mammals, it is connected with the greater sac via the epiploic foramen...
.
Borders
It has the following borders:- anterior: the free border of the lesser omentumLesser omentumThe lesser 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 :...
, known as the hepatoduodenal ligamentHepatoduodenal ligamentThe hepatoduodenal ligament is the portion of the lesser omentum extending between the porta hepatis of the liver and the superior part of the duodenum.Running inside it are the following:* hepatic artery proper* hepatic portal vein* common bile duct...
. This has two layers and within these layers are the common bile ductCommon bile ductThe common bile duct is a tube-like anatomic structure in the human gastrointestinal tract. It is formed by the union of the common hepatic duct and the cystic duct . It is later joined by the pancreatic duct to form the ampulla of Vater...
, hepatic arteryHepatic arteryHepatic artery can refer to:* Common hepatic artery * Hepatic artery proper...
, and hepatic portal veinHepatic portal veinThe hepatic portal vein is not a true vein, because it does not conduct blood directly to the heart. It is a vessel in the abdominal cavity that drains blood from the gastrointestinal tract and spleen to capillary beds in the liver...
. - posterior: the peritoneumPeritoneumThe peritoneum is the serous membrane that forms the lining of the abdominal cavity or the coelom — it covers most of the intra-abdominal organs — in amniotes and some invertebrates...
covering the inferior vena cavaInferior vena cavaThe inferior vena cava , also known as the posterior vena cava, is the large vein that carries de-oxygenated blood from the lower half of the body into the right atrium of the heart.... - superior: the peritoneum covering the caudate lobe of the liverLiverThe liver is a vital organ present in vertebrates and some other animals. It has a wide range of functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion...
- inferior: the peritoneum covering the commencement of the duodenumDuodenumThe duodenum is the first section of the small intestine in most higher vertebrates, including mammals, reptiles, and birds. In fish, the divisions of the small intestine are not as clear and the terms anterior intestine or proximal intestine may be used instead of duodenum...
and the hepatic arteryHepatic arteryHepatic artery can refer to:* Common hepatic artery * Hepatic artery proper...
, the latter passing forward below the foramen before ascending between the two layers of the lesser omentum. - left lateral: gastrosplenic ligamentGastrosplenic ligamentThe gastrosplenic ligament is part of the greater omentum.Embryonically the gastrosplenic ligament is derived from the dorsal mesogastrium....
and splenorenal ligamentSplenorenal ligamentThe splenorenal ligament , is derived from the peritoneum, where the wall of the general peritoneal cavity comes into contact with the omental bursa between the left kidney and the spleen; the lienal vessels pass between its two layers...