[Anatomical and embryological aspects of gastric duplications]

Following study of 155 cases of gastric duplications, published up to now and examination of 22 human embryos, the authors discuss classic theories of pathogenesis. They oppose two anatomical forms: tubular forms in 23% of the cases communicating more often with the lumen of the digestive tract, and spherical forms in 77% generally closed. The site of implantation varies. ROWLING'S anatomical criteria are conserved. In embryos, the stomach appears at stage 9 of the embryonic period proper, with the ventral closure of the entoderm. Abnormal lateral longitudinal folding might explain the formation of tubular forms. In two embryos at stage 15, was found a diverticulum of the gastric lumen coated with digestive epithelium, that may explain the later formation spherical forms. No epithelialization or vacuolisation has ever been observed in the gastric wall.