Intrahepatic termination of the left gastric vein (vena gastrica sinistra): a new case of this unusual anatomic variation

Abstract

The intrahepatic termination of the left gastric vein is an unusual anatomic variation. A new case studied after dissection is described. The left gastric vein is divided in 2 terminal branches which enter the left liver lobe after flowing through the pars condensa of the lesser omentum. One is a terminal branch which contributes to the portal irrigation of the superior lateral subsegment. The other anastomoses to the ramus cranialis of the left branch of the portal vein. The diameter of the left gastric vein, portal vein and splenic vein obtained after morphometric study can be considered normal. The existence of portal hypertension prior to death is discarded.