ABSTRACT
During routine dissection of abdomen an accessory leftgastric artery was found arising from the splenic arteryin one out of 30 adult formalin fixed cadavers in theDepartment of Anatomy, Kasturba Medical CollegeManipal. The origin of left gastric artery was normal.The accessory artery was running upwards behind usualleft gastric artery and run along lesser curvature of thestomach and also gave oesophageal branch supplyingthe lower part of esophagus. Before attempting anysurgical procedure on stomach or lower end ofoesophagus, preoperative evaluation of the arterialpattern and variations is desirable for correct surgicalapproach and to reduce postoperative complications.However, accessory left gastric origin from splenicartery becomes important to be noted when the patientundergoes angiography for diagnostic bleeding orduring trans catheter therapy. Knowledge about thesevariations is also important to be noted prior to surgeryin order to prevent postoperative complications whichwould be fatal.