4 66 



ABDOMEN 



mencement of the lesser curvature, but in certain conditions 

 of the stomach it appears to be partly on the upper surface. 

 At this point the organ is joined by the gullet. The pylorus 

 or narrow right extremity of the stomach, which, as a rule, 

 is directed backwards, becomes continuous with the duo- 

 denum or commencement of the small intestine, and the 

 junction is marked on the surface by a slight but distinct 

 constriction, termed the duodeno-pyloric constriction. 



The two surfaces of the stomach, as a general rule, look 

 for the most part upwards and downwards. The upper surface 



FIG. 179. The Stomach has been removed from its bed so as to display 

 the recess in which it lies. 



is fuller and more convex than the lower surface. To some 

 extent it is directed forwards, as well as upwards, and it is 

 largely covered by the left lobe of the liver. Below and to 

 the left of the sharp margin of the liver, however, a consider- 

 able portion of this surface of the stomach is in apposition 

 with the diaphragm, and also with the posterior aspect of 

 the anterior abdominal wall. 



The inferior surface of the stomach is flatter than the 

 superior surface, and is supported by a slightly curved and 

 sloping shelf, which projects forwards from the posterior wall 

 of the abdomen. This has been appropriately called, by 



