Topic:Gross anatomy, blood supply and lymphatic drainage of the tongue, thyroid, mammary gland, stomach
Question: Describe the stomach under the following headings: 1. Location 2. External features 3. Arterial supply 4. Clinical anatomy.
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- Location: The stomach is a muscular, hollow organ located in the upper left part of the abdominal cavity, just below the diaphragm. It lies between the esophagus and the small intestine and is connected to these structures by the cardia and the pylorus, respectively.
- External features: The stomach has several external features, including:
a. Greater curvature: This is the longer, convex border of the stomach that runs from the cardia to the pylorus.
b. Lesser curvature: This is the shorter, concave border of the stomach that runs from the cardia to the pylorus.
c. Fundus: This is the upper, dome-shaped portion of the stomach that lies above the level of the cardia.
d. Body: This is the large, central portion of the stomach that lies between the fundus and the pylorus.
e. Antrum: This is the lower, tapering portion of the stomach that lies just above the pylorus.
- Arterial supply: The stomach receives its blood supply from several branches of the celiac trunk, including:
a. Left gastric artery: This artery supplies the lesser curvature and the cardia of the stomach.
b. Right gastric artery: This artery supplies the pylorus and the lower part of the lesser curvature.
c. Left gastroepiploic artery: This artery supplies the greater curvature and the fundus of the stomach.
d. Right gastroepiploic artery: This artery supplies the greater curvature and the antrum of the stomach.
e. Short gastric arteries: These arteries supply the fundus and the upper part of the greater curvature.
- Clinical anatomy: Understanding the anatomy of the stomach is important for the diagnosis and treatment of various conditions that can affect the organ, such as peptic ulcers, gastritis, and gastric cancer. For example:
a. Gastric perforation: A perforation of the stomach wall can occur due to various causes, such as a peptic ulcer or trauma. This can lead to leakage of gastric contents into the abdominal cavity, which can be life-threatening.
b. Gastric outlet obstruction: This is a blockage of the pylorus that prevents the stomach from emptying properly. This can be caused by various conditions, such as a peptic ulcer, gastric cancer, or inflammation.
c. Gastric bypass surgery: This is a surgical procedure that’s used to treat obesity. It involves creating a small pouch from the upper part of the stomach and connecting it directly to the small intestine, bypassing the rest of the stomach and the first part of the small intestine.
d. Gastric cancer: This is a malignant tumor that can develop in any part of the stomach. It’s more common in older adults and is often associated with factors such as smoking, a diet high in salt and processed meats, and infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria.
