The human stomach is a vital part of the digestive system, performing multiple functions. It is located within the peritoneum, a serous membrane that lines the abdominal cavity. The stomach plays a central role in processing food substances and interacts with other digestive organs through coordinated digestive processes. The stomach has a characteristic J-shape and is divided into four main regions. The cardia is the first section where the esophagus connects to the stomach and is the entry...

Gastric emptying occurs when the stomach gradually releases chyme into the duodenum. When the stomach is distended, it triggers the release of gastrin, a hormone that promotes gastric acid secretion to aid in digestion. Additionally, stomach distension contributes to peristaltic waves that propel gastric contents toward the pyloric region. The gastroenteric reflex, on the other hand, primarily stimulates peristalsis in the intestines, facilitating the movement of contents further along the...

Pyloric obstruction, also referred to as gastric outlet obstruction, is a condition characterized by narrowing or blockage at the pylorus—the muscular valve regulating the flow of stomach contents into the duodenum. When this passage becomes impaired, the stomach cannot effectively empty its contents into the small intestine. This disruption leads to a range of gastrointestinal symptoms, including early satiety, bloating, epigastric pain, postprandial nausea, persistent vomiting, and...

Enteroendocrine cells, accounting for only 1% of stomach epithelial cells, play a significant role in digestion and are classified by their digestive hormone secretions.
Each of these hormones secreted by different enteroendocrine cells plays a unique role in digestion. Here are a few examples:

The stomach comprises several layers that work together to facilitate digestion and protect the organ. The outermost layer is called the serosa, which provides support and protection to the stomach. The muscularis externa layer is responsible for the mechanical breakdown of food by contracting and moving the stomach. The submucosa layer, located beneath the muscularis externa, contains connective tissue, blood vessels, nerves, and glands that secrete mucus and other substances essential for...

Digestion begins with a cephalic phase that prepares the digestive system to receive food. When our brain processes visual or olfactory information about food, it triggers impulses in the cranial nerves innervating the salivary glands and stomach to prepare for food.