Stomach, Gross Anatomy

Description

Stomach anatomy is presented as the muscular gastric pouch in the left upper abdomen, with the cardia at the gastroesophageal junction continuing inferiorly into the fundus, body, and pyloric region. Along the concave medial border, the lesser curvature leads toward the pylorus, while the convex lateral border forms the greater curvature, where the greater omentum would attach. Superiorly, the fundus abuts the left hemidiaphragm, and the pylorus lies more medial and inferior, oriented toward the first part of the duodenum. Anterior and posterior gastric walls define the lumenal contour. Clear landmarks. These surface relationships matter when correlating epigastric or left upper quadrant pain with foregut pathology and when planning access in upper abdominal surgery. Peptic ulcer disease often localizes along the lesser curvature, and posterior wall ulcers can erode into the pancreas or gastroduodenal artery, producing brisk upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The fundus location also explains why free intraperitoneal air collects beneath the left hemidiaphragm on upright imaging and why distension can elevate the diaphragm and worsen dyspnea in the acute setting. Use this illustration for gross anatomy teaching of foregut organs, surgical anatomy discussions around antrectomy, vagotomy, or pyloroplasty, and medical publishing content on gastritis, ulcers, or bariatric procedure planning. It also suits patient-facing education that needs accurate stomach orientation without radiologic complexity. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.