1162 SPLANCHNOLOGY 



the base of the cone being continuous with the cardiac orifice of the stomach. 

 The right margin of the esophagus is continuous with the lesser curvature of the 

 stomach, while the left margin joins the greater curvature at an acute angle, termed 

 the incisura cardiaca. 



The pyloric orifice communicates with the duodenum, and its position is usually 

 indicated on the surface of the stomach by a circular groove, the duodenopyloric 

 constriction. This orifice lies to the right of the middle line at the level of the upper 

 border of the" first lumbar vertebra. 



Curvatures. The lesser curvature (curvatura ventriculi minor'), extending between 

 the cardiac and pyloric orifices, forms the right or posterior border of the stomach. 

 It descends as a continuation of the right margin of the esophagus in front of the 

 fiber* of the right crus of the diaphragm, and then, turning to the right, it crosses 

 the first lumbar vertebra and ends at the pylorus. Nearer its pyloric than its 

 cardiac end is a well-marked notch, the incisura angularis, w r hich varies somewhat 

 in position with the state of distension of the viscus; it serves to separate the 

 stomach into a right and a left portion. The lesser curvature gives attachment 

 to the two layers of the hepatogastric ligament, and between these two layers are 

 the left gastric artery and the right gastric branch of the hepatic artery. 



The greater curvature (curvatura ventriculi major) is directed mainly forward, 

 and is four or five times as long as the lesser curvature. Starting from the cardiac 

 orifice at the incisura cardiaca, it forms an arch backward, upward, and to the left; 

 the highest point of the convexity is on a level with the sixth left costal cartilage. 

 From this level it may be followed downward and forward, with a slight convexity 

 to the left as low as the cartilage of the ninth rib; it then turns to the right, to the 

 end of the pylorus. Directly opposite the incisura angularis of the lesser curva- 

 ture the greater curvature presents a dilatation, w r hich is the left extremity of the 

 pyloric part; this dilatation is limited on the right by a slight groove, the sulcus 

 intermedius, which is about 2.5 cm, from the duodenopyloric constriction. The 

 portion between the sulcus intermedius and the duodenopyloric constriction is 

 termed the pyloric antrum. At its commencement the greater curvature is covered 

 by peritoneum continuous w r ith that covering the front of the organ. The left 

 part of the curvature gives attachment to the gastrolienal ligament, while to its 

 anterior portion are attached the two layers of the greater omentum, separated 

 from each other by the gastroepiploic vessels. 



Surfaces. When the stomach is in the contracted condition, its surfaces are 

 directed upward and downward respectively, but when the viscus is distended they 

 are directed forward, and backward. They may therefore be described as antero- 

 superior and postero-inferior. 



Antero-superior Surface. The left half of this surface is in contact with the 

 diaphragm, which separates it from the base of the left lung, the pericardium, 

 and the seventh, eighth, and ninth ribs, and intercostal spaces of the left side. The 

 right half is in relation with the left and quadrate lobes of the liver and with the 

 anterior abdominal wall. When the stomach is empty, the transverse colon may 

 lie on the front part of this surface. The whole surface is covered by peritoneum. 



The Postero-inferior Surface is in relation with the diaphragm, the spleen, 

 the left suprarenal gland, the upper part of the front of the left kidney, the anterior 

 surface of the pancreas, the left colic flexure, and the upper layer of the transverse 

 mesocolon. These structures form a shallow bed, the stomach bed, on which the 

 viscus rests. The transverse mesocolon separates the stomach from the duodeno- 

 jejunal flexure and small intestine. The postero-inferior surface is covered by 

 peritoneum, except over a small area close to the cardiac orifice; this area is limited 

 by the lines of attachment of the gastrophrenic ligament, and lies in apposition 

 with the diaphragm, and frequently with the upper portion of the left supra- 

 renal gland. 



