What is "left gastric vein"

n. arises from a union of veins from the gastric cardia; runs in the lesser omentum; empties into the portal vein [syn: vena gastrica sinistra]

The left gastric vein (or coronary vein) carries blood low in oxygen, tributaries derived from both surfaces of the stomach; it runs from right to left along the lesser curvature of the stomach, between the two layers of the lesser omentum, to the esophageal opening of the stomach, where it receives some esophageal veins.

It then turns backward and passes from left to right behind the omental bursa and drains into the portal vein. Thus, it acts as collaterals between the portal veins and the systemic venous system of the lower esophagus ( azygous vein).

Esophageal and paraesophageal varices are supplied primarily by the left gastric vein (due to flow reversal) and typically drain into the azygos/ hemiazygos venous system.