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Stomach Anatomy
Key features and functions of the stomach:
Lesser curvature
- Medial surface of the stomach
- Attaches to the lesser omentum
Greater curvature
- Lateral surface
- Attaches to the greater omentum
4 major regions of the stomach:
Cardiac region
- Near the heart ("cardia" refers to the heart)
- Cardiac orifice leads from esophagus to stomach
- Cardiac sphincter regulates orifice
Fundus
- Dome-shaped portion
- Bulges superiorly and laterally to the cardiac region
Body
- Middle portion of the stomach
Pyloric region
- Final, distal portion.
- Antrum and canal
- Pyloric orifice leads to duodenum
- Pyloric sphincter regulates orifice
Tunics of the Stomach
Serosa
- Outer covering
Muscularis externa
- Longitudinal layer
- Circular layer
- Oblique layer
Submucosa and mucosa
- Wrinkle to form gastric folds
- Mucosa comprises millions of gastric pits, which lead to gastric glands.
- Gastric glands produce gastric juice, which is very acidic to chemically digest stomach contents.
- Acidic secretions can be detrimental to body tissues, so specialized mucosal cells protect the stomach wall from degradation.
Clinical correlations:
- Gastric ulcers are lesions in the mucosal lining of the stomach, which can cause pain and bleeding.
- Infection of H. pylori bacterium (Heliobacter pylori), which can be treated with antibiotics
- Overuse of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).