478 FREDERIC T. LEWIS 



be propelled by force of the discharging stomach into the intes- 

 tine. Fabricius ab Aquapendente (1618) likewise states that the 

 orificium inferius is not inferior at all, and Spigelius (1627) places 

 it in the highest part of the stomach ; so that the term ' orificium 

 dextrum' was preferred, and finally the less objectionable Greek 

 name 'pylorus' (Latin, janitor), which had been introduced by 

 Galen, became the accepted designation. Winslow, however, in 

 1732, insisted that the position of the orifices is such that "we 

 ought with the ancient anatomists to call one of them superior, the 

 other inferior." 



The significance of 'cardia' (Latin, cor), as applied to the 

 oesophageal orifice, was discussed by Fabricius, who cites Galen 

 as stating that the upper orifice of the stomach is called the heart 

 because the symptoms to which it gives rise are similar to those 

 which sometimes affect the heart, sometimes even the brain; but 

 for Fabricius, cardia, as applied to this orifice, merely indicates a 

 chief part of the body. Spigelius describes the cardia as consist- 

 ing of circular fleshy fibers, so that the stomach, after having 

 received food, may be closed perfectly, thus preventing fumes from 

 rising, with consequent loss of heat. The cardia and pylorus are 

 intimately associated with their respective sphincter muscles, 

 but they do not include the adjacent portions of the stomach. 



For the stomach as a whole these anatomists use the Latin 

 'ventriculus,' rather than the Greek 'gaster,' and the Latin term 

 has been adopted at Basle. Since however, the adjective gastri- 

 cus has been chosen instead of ventricularis, it seems desirable 

 that gaster should be used in. place of ventriculus, especially since 

 cardia and pylorus are of Greek origin. 1 



X I am indebted to Prof. Albert A. Howard for the following note regarding these 

 terms: Gaster is a Greek word meaning belly (the whole abdominal cavity) but 

 was often used by the Greeks in the more restricted sense of stomach. It is not 

 found in Latin with this meaning until very late (only after the literary period). 

 Ventriculus is used quite consistently for stomach by Celsus and at times by Pliny 

 the Elder. Cicero in one passage speaks of ventriculus cordis, but does not use 

 ventriculus for stomach. If gaster is adopted I think the genitive gastri is prefer- 

 able to gasteris, though as a matter of fact the genitive does not happen to occur in 

 any Latin that is preserved to our time. Petronius has used the ablative plural 

 gastris which would be the reason for deciding as I have. 



