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3.02.6.1 Gross Anatomical Relationships: Boron and Boulpaep, 2009
3.02.6.1 Gross Anatomical Relationships: Boron and Boulpaep, 2009
3.02.6.1 Gross Anatomical Relationships: Boron and Boulpaep, 2009
The stomach deviates from the shape of a tube by bulging out toward the left. Viewed from the front, the long convex outer edge
of this bulge forms the greater curvature (Fig. 5). The right border of the stomach forms a short concave edge called the lesser curvature.
The rounded upper end of the greater curvature is especially prominent as a bulge called the fundus. The fundus is in contact
with the overlying diaphragm and extends above the level of entrance of the esophagus. The area of stomach immediately
surrounding the esophageal entrance is called the cardiac portion.
Proceeding from the cardiac end to the pylorus, the posterior aspect of the stomach is in relationship to the diaphragm, spleen,
left kidney, pancreas, and superior mesenteric artery and vein. Anterior relations of the stomach are the left lobe of the liver, transverse
colon, diaphragm, and anterior abdominal wall. The cardiac portion and fundus are protected by the ribs whereas the
remainder of the body of the stomach has only the soft tissues of the anterior abdominal wall over it. The distal portion of the
stomach that narrows to join the duodenum is called the antrum or pyloric stomach. The opening of the stomach to the duodenum
is the pylorus.