ABSTRACT
The blood supply of the stomach is particularly rich. Six arteries provide the main blood supply: the left and right gastric arteries supply the area of the lesser curvature, the right and left gastroepiploic arteries supply the area of the greater curvature, the splenic artery via short gastric arteries supply the area of the fundus, and the gastroduodenal artery sends branches to the pylorus. The left and right gastric arteries form an arcade that extends along the lesser curvature. As the left gastric artery, a major branch of the celiac axis turns down along the lesser curvature, it divides into two branches. Gastric mucosal blood flow is dependent upon the systemic blood pressure. Reduction in systemic blood pressure in hemorrhagic shock is associated with a decrease in gastric mucosal blood flow. Acute gastric mucosal lesions may occur in patients with shock, traumatic injury, sepsis, or other types of life-threatening illness.
