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THE STOMACH. 



The orifices of the stomach are the cardiac and pyloric. 

 The cardiac is on the left side, and forms the termination 

 of the oesophagus in the stomach. The pyloric is on the 

 right side, and forms the entrance to the duodenum. It is 

 lower than the cardiac, and is readily recognized by a cir- 

 cular thickening of the parts. 



The extremities of the stomach are a greater ', which is in 

 the left hypochondrium, and comprises what is termed the 

 great cul-de-sac, which is situated to the left of the oeso- 

 phagus, and in front of the spleen. The lesser is the pyloric 

 extremity, which is to the right, much smaller than the 

 left, of a cylindrical shape, and extends to the gall-bladder. 

 The size of the stomach varies in different individuals, 

 and in different conditions of fullness or emptiness. Its 

 average capacity is estimated at about one quart. 



Structure. The stomach consists of membranous tunics 



or coats, blood-ves- 

 sels, and nerves. 

 The proper coats 

 are three, a serous, 

 muscular, and mu- 

 cous, to which is 

 added the cellular, 

 called the fibrous 

 or nervous coat. 

 The serous coat 

 has been already 

 described as be- 

 ing a reflection of 

 the peritoneum, 

 coming from the omentum minus, and forming a complete 

 investment of the stomach, except at its curvatures. 



The muscular coat presents three layers of fibres, which 

 are usually pale, though variable as to color. The first 



FIG. 176 represents the Coats of the Stomach, a (Esophagus, b Cul-de- 

 sac of stomach, or greater extremity, c Pyloric extremity, d Duodenum. 

 e e Peritoneal coat turned back. / Longitudinal fibres of muscular coat, g 

 Circular, h Oblique fibres, i Portion of muscular coat of duodenum. 



