Stomach of an Obese Male, Anterior View

Description

Across the upper abdomen of an obese adult male, the distal esophagus descends in the midline and passes through the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm to join the gastric cardia. The stomach occupies the left upper quadrant with a dilated fundus positioned superior and left of the gastroesophageal junction, then continues inferiorly as the body and turns medially toward the pyloric antrum and pylorus. The lesser curvature forms the medial concavity, while the greater curvature sweeps inferolaterally before transitioning into the proximal duodenum of the small intestine. Subcutaneous adipose and the anterior abdominal wall are rendered semi-transparent to keep surface contour and organ position readable. An anterior, in situ stomach like this matters when teaching how obesity changes operative exposure and endoscopic orientation, since increased abdominal wall thickness and visceral fat can obscure landmarks and shift apparent relationships in the left upper quadrant. The prominent fundus and curvatures also frame common problem areas: a hiatal hernia at the gastroesophageal junction, fundal dilation in gastroparesis, and localization of perforated peptic ulcer pain as it tracks along the lesser curvature and epigastrium. Clear curvature anatomy also supports discussion of sleeve gastrectomy planning, where the resection follows the greater curvature while preserving the antrum and pyloric function. Use this artwork in bariatric surgery education, gastroenterology lectures on reflux and foregut anatomy, or patient-facing materials explaining stomach shape and location in the obese abdomen. It also fits well in anatomy and physiology courses that need an anterior abdominal correlation between surface habitus and internal digestive organs. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.