354 



ABDOMEN 



the fundus. Further to the right they form complete circles, 

 and in the region of the pylorus, where they are greatly 

 increased in number, they form the thick powerful sphincter 

 of the pyloric orifice (Fig. 168). The oblique internal fibres 

 are continuous with the deep circular fibres of the oesophagus. 

 They are deficient along the lesser curvature and in the 



pyloric region. 

 They are spread 

 over the body of 

 the stomach as 

 scattered strands, 

 but they com- 

 pletely ensheath 

 the fundus where 

 the proper circular 

 stratum is defici- 

 ent, and in that 

 region they assume 

 a circular arrange- 

 ment. 



The sub mucous 

 coat is composed 

 of lax areolar 

 tissue. It inter- 

 venes between the 

 muscular and 



mucous coats, and 

 FIG. 164. Posterior Wall of an Empty and Con- u: nr j, t u prn 1 oose l v 

 traded Stomach. Showing the folds of the mucous L 

 membrane. to each Other in 



A, (Esophagus ; B, Pylorus. such a manner 



that the mucous 



membrane can glide freely upon the internal surface of the 

 muscular coat. 



The mucous coat must be studied from the inside of the 

 stomach. Open up the viscus by running the scissors along 

 the lesser curvature. The gastric mucous membrane will 

 then be seen to be thick, soft, and pulpy. In the dissecting- 

 room the student cannot obtain a proper idea of its natural 

 colour. In infancy it is rosy red, but as life advances it 

 gradually becomes paler, and in old age it presents a brownish 

 hue owing to the presence of pigment. When the mucous 

 membrane is cleansed and examined with a pocket-lens, its 



