Quick Facts
Origin: Arises along the lesser curvature of the stomach.
Course: Travels posterior and medial from lesser curvature of the stomach to the portal vein.
Tributaries: Lower esophageal veins.
Drainage: Lesser curvature of the stomach and distal esophagus.
Origin
The left gastric vein originates along the lesser curvature of the stomach.
Course
The left gastric vein ascends along the lesser curvature of the stomach towards the gastroesophageal junction. Then it turns posterior and medial towards to the liver. The left gastric vein typically drains into the hepatic portal vein but can also drain into the splenic vein or rarely, directly into the left branch of the hepatic portal vein.
Tributaries
The left gastric vein receives the lower esophageal veins.
Structures Drained
The left gastric vein drains the distal esophagus and the upper body and fundus of the stomach.
List of Clinical Correlates
- Gastrectomy
- Gastric lymphadenectomy
Learn more about this topic from other Elsevier products
Left Gastric Vein
The left gastric vein, or coronary vein, is a major draining vein of the stomach and lower esophagus.
