The relationship of the stomach to surrounding structures is depicted in the figure. The arterial supply to the stomach is derived primarily from the celiac axis. The celiac axis arises from the proximal abdominal aorta and typically branches into the common hepatic, splenic, and left gastric arteries. The common hepatic artery usually gives rise to the gastroduodenal artery (in approximately 75% of people), which, in turn, branches off into the right gastroepiploic artery and the anterior and posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal arteries, which supply the pancreas. The right gastroepiploic artery joins with the left gastroepiploic artery, which emanates from the splenic artery in 90% of patients. The right gastric artery branches from the hepatic artery and anastomoses with the left gastric artery along the lesser curvature of the stomach. Because of its highly redundant blood supply, stomach ischemia is rare.
