THE STOMACH-FORM, SITUATION, &c. 831 



The stomach is of a somewhat conical or pyriform shape. The left ex- 

 tremity is the larger, and is named the cardiac, great or splenic end. The 

 right or small end is also named the pyloric extremity. Of its two orifices, 

 the one by which food enters from the ossophagus is named the cardiac 

 orifice, the other, by which it passes into the duodenum, and which is placed 

 on a somewhat lower level, and more forwards, is the pyloric orifice. 



The oesophagus terminates in the stomach two or three inches from the 

 great extremity, which projects beyond the place of union to the left, 

 forming the great cul-de-sac or fundus. 



Between the cardiac and the pyloric orifices, the outline of the stomach 

 is curved along its upper and lower borders. The upper border, about 

 three or four inches in length, is concave, and is named the lesser curvature ; 

 while the lower border, which is much longer, and, except towards the 

 pylorus, convex, forms the greater curvature. 



Fig. 580. DIAGRAMMATIC OUTLINE OP Fig. 580. 



THE STOMACH. 



, great curvature ; 6, lesser curva- 

 ture ; c, left end, great cul-de-sac, or 

 fundus ; d, small cul-de-sac or antrum 

 pylori; o, oesophageal orifice or cardia; 

 p, duodenal orifice or pylorus. 



Towards the pylorus, the small 

 end of the stomach describes a 

 double bend, opposite to the first 

 turn of which is a prominence or 

 bulging, sometimes named the 

 small cul-de-sac or antrum pylori. 



Division of the stomach, by constriction, into a right and left pouch, is frequently 

 observed as a temporary condition resulting from spasm. More rarely it is of a per- 

 manent character (Struthers, Monthly Med. Journ., 1851). 



Dimensions. These vary greatly, according to the state of distension 

 of the organ. When moderately filled, its length is about ten or twelve 

 inches ; and its diameter at the widest part, from four inches to four inches 

 and a half. According to Clendiuning, it weighs, when freed from other 

 parts, about four ounces and a half in the male, and somewhat less in the 

 female. 



Connections. The borders of the stomach are connected with folds of 

 peritoneum in their whole extent. Thus, to the superior border is attached 

 the gastro-phrenic ligament and gastro-hepatic omentum ; to the inferior 

 border is attached the gastro-colic omentum ; and to the left extremity the 

 gastro-spleuic omentum. The blood-vessels and lymphatics of the stomach 

 pass within these duplicatures of the peritoneum, and reach the organ along 

 its two curvatures. Its anterior and posterior surfaces are free, smooth, and 

 covered with peritoneum. The anterior surface, which is directed upwards 

 as well as forwards, is in contact above with the diaphragm and the under 

 surface of the liver, and lower down with the abdominal parietes opposite to 

 the epigastric region, which is hence named the pit of the stomach. The 

 posterior surface is turned downwards and backwards, and rests upon the 

 transverse meso-colon, and farther back, upon the pancreas and great vessels 

 of the abdomen. 



