Anatomy of the vestibule of the omental bursa and epiploic foramen in the horse.
Authors: Freeman D E, Pearn A R
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Epiploic Foramen Anatomy in the Horse Epiploic foramen entrapment remains a significant cause of colic in equine practice, yet the anatomical descriptions available in standard references contain inconsistencies and inaccuracies that may compromise clinical understanding. Freeman and Pearn examined 21 fresh cadavers to systematically describe the three-dimensional anatomy of the vestibule of the omental bursa and epiploic foramen, using in situ dissection, organ removal, and detailed photographic documentation and illustrations. Their findings reveal that the gastropancreatic fold—a structure considerably underemphasised in most English-language equine anatomy texts—forms the dorsal, caudal and ventral boundaries of both the vestibule entrance and the passageway through to the epiploic foramen, whilst the portal vein and caudate lobe of the liver constitute the cranioventral and craniodorsal margins respectively. This clarified anatomical map provides an essential foundation for refining both surgical treatment approaches and laparoscopic prevention strategies for epiploic foramen entrapment, offering practitioners a more accurate reference for understanding how small intestine becomes trapped in this critical cranial abdominal region.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Improved understanding of epiploic foramen anatomy from this detailed dissection study may support development of better surgical treatment and laparoscopic prevention strategies for EFE colic.
- •The gastropancreatic fold is a critical anatomical structure in EFE cases and should be a key focus point during surgical exploration and repair.
- •Clinicians should be aware that standard anatomy textbooks may contain inaccurate or incomplete descriptions of this region, potentially limiting diagnostic and treatment approaches.
Key Findings
- •The gastropancreatic fold plays a more important role in the anatomy of the vestibule of the omental bursa and epiploic foramen than documented in widely-used English anatomy textbooks.
- •The entrance into the vestibule and passageway to the epiploic foramen is bounded by the gastropancreatic fold dorsally, caudally and ventrally.
- •The craniodorsal boundary of the epiploic foramen is formed by the caudate lobe of the liver, with the portal vein forming part of the cranioventral boundary.