What is the foramen of Winslow?

The foramen of Winslow is the only natural communication between the greater peritoneal cavity and the lesser sac. Also known as the epiploic foramen or the omental foramen, this small window was described by Jacob Winslow in his 1732 publication, Exposition anatomique de la structure du corps humain.

Where is foramen of Winslow?

In human anatomy, the omental foramen (epiploic foramen, foramen of Winslow after the anatomist Jacob B. Winslow, or uncommonly aditus; Latin: Foramen epiploicum), is the passage of communication, or foramen, between the greater sac (general cavity (of the abdomen)), and the lesser sac.

What is free edge lesser omentum?

The free border of the lesser omentum between the porta hepatis and the duodenum contains the hepatic artery, the portal vein, the common bile duct, lymph glands, lymph vessels, and nerves, forming the hepatic hilum. Behind this free edge is the opening into the lesser sac or foramen of Winslow.

What is lesser and greater omentum?

Omenta are the fused peritoneal folds that connect the stomach and duodenum with other abdominal organs. The greater omentum attaches the stomach to the transverse colon. The lesser omentum attaches the stomach and the duodenum to the liver.

What does epiploic mean?

: of or associated with an omentum : omental.

What is the purpose of epiploic foramen?

The epiploic foramen (also called the foramen of Winslow) is a passage between the greater sac (peritoneal cavity proper) and the lesser sac (omental bursa), allowing communication between these two spaces.

What is the greater and lesser sac?

The greater sac comprises the majority of the peritoneal cavity. The lesser sac (also known as the omental bursa) is smaller and lies posterior to the stomach and lesser omentum.

Why is omentum called the policeman?

In 1906, the greater omentum was described as the “abdominal policeman” by the surgeon James Rutherford Morrison. This is due to its immunological function, whereby omental tissue seems to “surveil” the abdomen for infection and cover areas of infection when found – walling it off with immunologically active tissue.

Which ligament of lesser omentum can be cut?

hepatogastric ligament
The lesser omentum is usually divided into these two connecting parts: the hepatogastric ligament, and the hepatoduodenal ligament.

Is epiploic appendagitis rare?

Epiploic appendagitis is an uncommon clinical entity that is caused by ischemic infarction of an epiploic appendage due to torsion or thrombosis of the central draining vein [1]. The clinical manifestations include acute abdominal pain, most commonly in the left lower quadrant.

What is the treatment for epiploic appendagitis?

Epiploic appendagitis is usually considered to be a self-limiting disease. This means it goes away on its own without treatment. In the meantime, your doctor may suggest taking over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil). You may need antibiotics in some cases.