THE AL1MKNTARY APPARATUS. 231 



Viscera Without Peritoneal Investment. 



Bladder except posterior wall; 



Rectum lower third; 



Vagina lower part of posterior wall; 



Pancreas; 



Suprarenal capsules; i- partly covered anteriorly. 

 Kidneys. 



THE STOMACH. 



The stomach is a musculo-membranous sac, pyriform in 

 shape, situated below the diaphragm in an oblique position across 

 the upper abdomen, where it is held in position by the lesser 

 omentum and the gastro-splenic ligament. It measures about 

 nine to twelve inches long, four to five inches in its greatest 

 diameter, and has a capacity of from one to two quarts. It 

 occupies the epigastric, right and left hypochondriac regions, and 

 is in relation above with the diaphragm and liver, below with 

 the transverse colon, in front with the abdominal walls, and 

 behind with the pancreas. When distended the stomach rotates 

 on its long axis and the greater curvature points somewhat for- 

 ward. It presents for examination a greater and lesser extrem- 

 ity, greater and lesser curvatures, anterior and posterior surfaces, 

 and cardiac and pyloric orifices. 



The greater r.rlrrmity, or fundus, occupies the left hypo- 

 chondriac region, in contact with the spleen, with which it is 

 attached by i IK- gast ro-splenic omentum, and behind the lower rib. 



The lesser or pyloric end is smaller and lies in contact 

 witli the- under surface of the liver and the wall of the abdomen 

 in the right hypogastric region. 



The (/renter m mi lure extends between the pyloric and 

 cesophageal orifices, along the lower border of the stomach, and 

 to it is attached the great omentum. 



The lexxer mri'til are extends between the same two points 

 along the superior border of the organ. 



The (t'xoiili(t(/e<il or canliac orifice occupies the highest part 

 of the stomach, behind the left seventh costal cartilage, and 

 receives the < esophagus. 



The j, i/l <i r it; orifice occupies the right extremity, and opens 

 into the duodenum, being protected by a muscular valve, the 

 pylorus, or pyloric valve. 



The (interior surface is in contact with the under surface 

 <>!' the left lobe of the liver, the abdominal walls, and the dia- 

 phragm. 



The posterior surface is in contact with the peritoneum of 

 the diaphragm, solar plexus, the pancreas, and the abdominal 

 vessels. 



