Stomach, Liver, Pancreas, Duodenum, and Gallbladder, Anterior View

Description

Dominating the superior abdomen, the liver fills the right upper quadrant with the right lobe extending laterally and the left lobe crossing the midline to lie superior to the stomach. Inferior to the hepatic parenchyma, the gallbladder nestles in its fossa along the visceral surface, oriented with the fundus projecting anteroinferiorly. The stomach sits left of midline with the fundus superior and the pylorus directed to the right, where it continues into the duodenum; the pancreas lies posterior to the stomach, its head embraced by the C shaped duodenum and its body running transversely toward the left. Proximal jejunum is suggested distal to the duodenojejunal flexure. Clear orientation. For teaching upper gastrointestinal anatomy, an anterior view like this makes the pylorus and first part of the duodenum easier to relate to the gallbladder and biliary tree, a relationship that drives day to day clinical decision making. The common bile duct and main pancreatic duct typically converge at the hepatopancreatic ampulla (ampulla of Vater) in the second part of the duodenum, the anatomic basis for gallstone pancreatitis and for obstructive jaundice when a stone lodges distally. Surgeons also use these surface relationships when planning access for cholecystectomy and when anticipating the posterior position of the pancreas in trauma or pancreatic head malignancy, where anterior abdominal findings can be deceptively limited. Use this artwork in gross anatomy and GI blocks to anchor spatial relationships before moving to CT or endoscopy, and in medical publishing when explaining peptic ulcer disease, biliary colic, or pancreatitis with reference to the pyloroduodenal junction. It also fits patient education materials that need clear organ positioning without cross sectional complexity. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.