PHYSIOLOGICAL ANATOMY OF THE STOMACH. 



213 



to right and ceases at a distinct line extending from the left margin of the 

 oesophagus to about the junction of the middle with the last third of the 

 great curvature. At about the line where the oblique layer of fibres ceases 

 the stomach becomes constricted during the movements which are incident 

 to digestion, dividing the organ into tolerably distinct compartments. 



The blood-vessels of the muscular coat are quite abundant and are arranged 

 in a peculiar, rectangular net-work, which they always present in the non- 



Fio. 58. Fibres seen with the stomach everted (Sappey). 



1, 1, oesophagus ; 2, circular fibres at the oesophageal opening ; 3, 3, circular fibres at the lesser curva- 

 ture ; 4, 4, circular fibres at the pylorus ; 5, 5, 6, 7, 8, oblique fibres ; 9, 10, fibres of this layer cover- 

 ing the greater pouch ; 11, portion of the stomach from which these fibres have been removed to 

 show the subjacent circular fibres. 



striated muscular tissue. The nerves come from the pneumogastrics and the 

 sympathetic system and are demonstrated with difficulty. 



Mucous Coat. The mucous mem- 

 brane of the stomach is soft and vel- 

 vety in appearance and of a reddish- 

 gray color. It is loosely attached to 

 the submucous muscular tissue and is 

 thrown into large, longitudinal folds, 

 which become effaced as the organ is 

 distended. If the mucous membrane 

 be stretched or if the stomach be 

 everted and distended and the mucus 

 be gently removed under a stream of 

 water, the membrane will be found 

 marked with polygonal pits or de- 

 pressions, enclosed by ridges, which, FIG. 59.-Pits in the mucous membrane of the 

 J stomach, and orifices of the glands ; magnified 



in some parts of the organ, are quite 20 diameters (Sappey). 



T m , i Xi.1. 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 3, pits of different sizes ; 4, 5, orifices 



regular. These are best seen with ' of the gastric glands. 



