The Left gastric vein (or coronary vein) carries blood low in Oxygen, tributaries derived from both surfaces of the stomach; it runs from right to left along the lesser curvature of the stomach, between the two layers of the lesser omentum, to the esophageal opening of the stomach, where it receives some esophageal veins. It then turns backward and passes from left to right behind the omental bursa and drains into the portal vein. Esophageal and paraesophageal varices are primarily supplied by the left gastric vein and typically drain into the azygos/hemiazygos venous system. [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_gastric_vein ]