omental foramen (epiploic foramen, foramen of Winslow)

Introduction

The passage below & behind the porta hepatis, connecting the two peritoneal sacs.

Boundaries:

• Anteriorly
  • portal vein, hepatic artery & bile duct contained in the hepatoduodenal ligament
• Posteriorly
  • inferior vena cava & right crus of diaphragm, covered with parietal peritoneum, which are retroperitoneal
• Superiorly
  • left lobe of liver (caudate), covered with visceral peritoneum
• Inferiorly
  • superior or first part of the duodenum, portal vein, hepatic artery & bile duct

Notes

Located by running a finger along the gallbladder to the free edge of the lesser omentum; usually admits 2 fingers.

More general terms

• foramen

Component of

• abdomen