Stomach

Lore & Background

Blood supply to the stomach comes from the right and left gastric arteries (lesser curvature), right and left gastroepiploic arteries (greater curvature), and short gastric arteries from the splenic artery (fundus). Lymphatic drainage occurs via gastric lymph nodes to the intestinal lymph trunk and cisterna chyli. The stomach bed includes the tail of the pancreas, splenic artery, left kidney, left suprarenal gland, transverse colon, and left crus of diaphragm.

Reader's Guide

The stomach is a central organ in the digestive system, responsible for the chemical and mechanical breakdown of food. Its unique three-layered muscular wall allows for churning and peristalsis, while gastric glands secrete acid and enzymes that initiate protein digestion. The stomach also regulates gut microbiota, influencing overall health. Its distensibility allows it to accommodate varying volumes, from 30 millilitres in newborns to up to 15 litres in extreme cases. The stomach's four sections—cardia, fundus, body, and pylorus—each have specialized functions, with the pyloric sphincter controlling the release of chyme into the small intestine. The organ's blood supply and lymphatic drainage support its metabolic and immune functions. The stomach's role in digestion and its anatomical complexity make it a key subject in medical study, though the term 'stomach bed' remains disputed.

Did You Know?

• The stomach can normally expand to hold about one litre of food, but maximum adult volume is between 2 and 4 litres, with up to 15 litres observed in extreme circumstances.
• The stomach wall contains three layers of muscle—inner oblique, middle circular, and outer longitudinal—with the inner oblique layer unique to the stomach.
• The pyloric sphincter controls the passage of partially digested food (chyme) from the stomach into the duodenum.