It extends from the greater curvature of the stomach, passing in front of the small intestines and doubles back to ascend to the transverse colon before reaching to the posterior abdominal wall.

[6][7] It is derived from the peritoneum, where the wall of the general peritoneal cavity comes into contact with the lesser sac between the left kidney and the spleen; the splenic artery and vein pass between its two layers.

[8] The right and left gastroepiploic arteries (also known as gastroomental) provide the sole blood supply to the greater omentum.

The greater omentum develops from the dorsal mesentery that connects the stomach to the posterior abdominal wall.

As a result, the dorsal mesentery folds over on itself, forming a pouch with its blind end on the left side of the embryo.

[3] It has also been used experimentally to reinforce bioengineered tissues transplanted to the surface of the heart for cardiac regeneration.

[10] The greater omentum may be surgically harvested to provide revascularization of brain tissue after a stroke.

In 1906, the greater omentum was described as the "abdominal policeman" by the surgeon James Rutherford Morrison.