The
greater omentum (also the
great omentum,
omentum majus,
gastrocolic omentum,
epiploon, or, especially in animals,
caul) is a large apron-like fold of visceral
peritoneum that hangs down from the stomach. It extends from the
greater curvature of the
stomach, passing in front of the small intestines and reflects on itself to ascend to the
transverse colon before reaching to the posterior
abdominal wall. The greater omentum is larger than the
lesser omentum which hangs down from the
liver to the
lesser curvature. The common anatomical term "epiploic" derives from "epiploon" from the Greek "epipleein" meaning to float or sail on, since the greater omentum appears to float on the surface of the intestines. It is the first structure observed when the abdominal cavity is opened anteriorly.