Epiploic foramen

Epiploic foramen:

•      The omental foramen /epiploic foramen/ foramen of Winslow:  is the passage of communication, or foramen, between the greater sac  and the lesser sac of peritoneal cavity 

 

Boundary :

 

•      Anteriorly : the free border of the lesser omentum, also known as the hepatoduodenal ligament.

       Hepatoduodenal ligament has two layers and following structures present within

       these layers antero posteriorly :

1.      the common bile duct,

2.      hepatic artery, and

3.      portal vein.

•      A useful mnemonic to remember these is DAVE:
Antero posteriorly
1. bile Duct,
2. hepatic Artery,
3. portal Vein,
4. Epiploic foramen.

•      Posteriorly : inferior vena cava

•      Superiorly : caudate process of caudate lobe of liver

•      Inferiorly : 1^st part of duodenum 

 Summary of boundary of epiploic foramen

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