Gastric Neoplasm Located in the Stomach

Description

Cut away through the anterior upper abdomen, the stomach is opened to reveal the gastric mucosa with rugae and a focal neoplastic mass arising from the wall, positioned along the lesser curvature between the cardia near the gastroesophageal junction and the distal antrum approaching the pylorus. Superior and anterior to the stomach, the left lobe of the liver drapes over the gastric fundus, while the spleen sits posterolaterally in the left hypochondrium, aligned with the fundus and greater curvature. Posterior to the stomach, the pancreas tracks transversely toward the splenic hilum, with the first part of the duodenum continuous from the pylorus and the small and large intestines descending inferiorly through the central and lower abdominals. Short gastric and gastroepiploic vessels are suggested along the curvatures. Clear landmarks. Gastric neoplasms are often taught abstractly, but showing the lesion against the rugal folds makes the concept of mucosal versus transmural disease immediate, which is what drives T staging and operative planning. The relationship of the posterior gastric wall to the pancreas and transverse mesocolon is a frequent source of confusion in subtotal gastrectomy and D1/D2 lymphadenectomy discussions, and it is also where direct invasion or inflammatory adherence can complicate resection. In practice, this is the anatomy behind an endoscopic biopsy report that comes back as adenocarcinoma and prompts CT staging, EUS depth assessment, and margin planning around the pylorus or gastroesophageal junction. Use this artwork in gross anatomy and GI blocks to orient students to foregut organ topography, then reuse it in surgical oncology, gastroenterology, and pathology teaching to pair macroscopic tumor location with symptoms such as early satiety, occult bleeding, or outlet obstruction. It also fits well in patient-facing education for explaining why tumor site affects the extent of gastrectomy and lymph node dissection. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.