ACTION OF THE STOMACH. 

 [Fig. 201. 



499 



A front view of the Stomach, distended by flatus, with the Peritoneal Coat turned off; 1, anterior face 

 of the (Esophagus ; 2, the cul-de-sac, or greater extremity ; 3, the lesser or pylorie extremity ; 4, the duo- 

 denum ; 5, 5, a portion of the peritoneal coat turned back ; 6, a portion of the longitudinal fibres of the 

 muscular coat ; 7. the circular fibres of the muscular coat; 8, the oblique muscular fibres, or muscle of 

 Uavard ; 9. a portion of the muscular coat of the duodenum, where its peritoneal coat has been removed.] 



[Fig. 202. 



A view of the interior of the Stomach, as given by the removal of its anterior parietes ; I, oesophagus j 

 2, cardiac orifice of the stomach ; 3. its greater extremity, or cul-de-sac ; 4, the greater curvature , 5, line 

 of the attachment of the omentum majus; 6, the muscular coat ; 7, the anterior cut edge of the mucous 

 coat ; 8, the ruga; of the mucous coat ; 9, the lesser curvature ; 1 0. the beginning of the duodenum ; 11, 

 pylorie orifice, or valve ; 12. the first turn of the duodenum downwards.] 



a constant agitation of the stomach, produced by the respiratory muscles. 

 The motions of the stomach itself are not performed on any very exact plan, 

 and are much influenced by the character of the ingesta, the state of the 

 general system, and by other circumstances. The following is the ordinary 

 course, however, of the revolutions of the food. " After passing the cesopha- 

 geal ring, it moves from right to left, along the small arch ; thence, through the 

 large curvature, from left to right. The bolus, as it enters the cardia, turns to 

 the left, passes the aperture,* descends into the splenic extremity, and follows 

 the great curvature towards the pylorie end. it then returns, in the course of 

 the smaller curvature, makes its appearance again at the aperture in its descent 



The fistulous orifice in St. Martin's stomach, through which these observations were 

 made. 



