Which artery, branch of the common hepatic artery, courses toward the left to supply the stomach and often originates from the splenic artery?

• A. Left Gastric Artery
• B. Right Gastric Artery
• C. Gastroduodenal Artery
• D. Proper Hepatic Artery

Answer: (A)

The artery described is the left gastric artery. It travels along the lesser curvature of the stomach toward the left and supplies the stomach. While its usual origin is from the celiac trunk, there are anatomical variants where it arises from the splenic artery, which explains the clue about originating from the splenic artery. It also often forms an anastomosis with the right gastric artery along the lesser curvature. The other arteries listed have different courses or targets: the right gastric artery typically comes from the hepatic artery and runs along the lesser curvature toward the pylorus; the gastroduodenal artery travels to the right to supply the stomach and duodenum; the proper hepatic artery supplies the liver.