THE STOMACH 23 



lation. It is a conoidal sac, curved considerable upwards, and 

 presents two Faces, two Orifices, two Curvatures, and two Ex- 

 tremities. 



The Faces of the stomach are, from their position, x named 

 anterior and posterior, or, one presents to the linea alba and 

 the other towards the spine. The flat configuration is rendered 

 more obvious when the organ is empty; for when distended it 

 is rounded, and the anterior face is caused to look forwards and 

 upwards from the resistance of the spine behind, while the pos- 

 terior is of course in an opposite direction. In other respects 

 they do not present any thing worthy of particular attention.* 1 



The two Orifices of the stomach are named Cardia and Py- 

 lorus. The first is at the left and most superior part, but re- 

 moved to the distance of two inches or more from the left ex- 

 tremity. It is generally considered a smooth uninterrupted 

 continuation of the oesophagus into the stomach, immediately 

 after the oesophagus has passed through the diaphragm into 

 the abdomen. But in a preparation,! of this organ, made by 

 drying, and now in the anatomical cabinet, a circular rounded 

 pad is very perceptible at the cardiac orifice; being elevated 

 two lines or more all round, so that it makes a perfect ring of 

 from eight to twelve lines broad at its base. This pad seems 

 to be composed of a cellular substance, which -is almost per- 

 fectly white, elastic, and consists of the finest filaments, resem- 

 bling carded cotton : it is placed between the lining membrane 

 of the cardiac orifice and the adjoining coat. The pylorus, 

 when viewed externally, looks like a smooth continuation of 

 the stomach into the duodenum; but when felt, there is a mani- 

 fect thickening of the part, depending upon a structure to be 

 presently explained. It points upwards and to the left side, 

 but is, by the whole thickness of the liver, lower down than the 

 cardia. 



The two Curvatures are designated the great and small, or 

 the upper and the lower. The first, forming the upper margin 

 of the stomach, is bounded at its extremities by the orifices, 

 and is very concave; its curvature is maintained both by a na- 



* In some cases the posterior face of the stomacli is concave to accommodate 

 it to the spine: this is best seen on inflation and drying. 

 f Made December, 1828. 



