What structure needs to be divided to access the coeliac trunk during surgery?

To access the coeliac trunk during surgery, it is necessary to divide the lesser omentum. The lesser omentum is a peritoneal fold that extends from the liver to the lesser curvature of the stomach and the first part of the duodenum, and it contains important structures such as the hepatic artery, portal vein, and the bile ducts.

When a surgeon needs to visualize the coeliac trunk, they often do so through an incision that involves cutting through the lesser omentum, which allows for access to the surrounding anatomical structures, including the stomach, duodenum, and pancreas. The coeliac trunk itself typically arises from the abdominal aorta just below the diaphragm, and careful dissection of the lesser omentum provides a pathway to locate and assess the trunk and its branches.

In contrast, the greater omentum and mesentery of the small intestine do not provide direct access to the coeliac trunk and would not be the initial structures addressed during such a procedure. The abdominal diaphragm, while an important anatomical landmark, is positioned above the coeliac trunk and is not divided to gain access to it. Thus, division of the lesser omentum is the correct approach for accessing the coeliac trunk effectively during surgical