106 



DIGESTION 



layers, one of which is made up of muscle fibres inter- 

 laced to form a thin elastic coat. This coat can increase 

 or diminish the stomach's capacity by relaxing or con- 

 tracting. The inner layer or lining of the stomach is a 

 thick coat of cells, in which lie the glands for secreting 

 a digestive fluid, the gastric juice. The stomach is 

 shaped like a pear, sharply curved to one side. The 



Qanglw of sympathetic system 

 Vena cava inferior 



FIG. 70. The stomach and a portion of the small intestine, the remainder of in- 

 testine and liver having been removed. 



esophagus leads into its larger end, and its smaller end 

 is continued into the intestine. 



Gastric juice. The innumerable small glands which 

 secrete the gastric juice, are embedded in the walls of 

 the stomach, with their mouths opening into its cavity. 

 The gastric juice is composed of hydrochloric acid and 



