Stomach Anatomy

The human stomach is a muscular, hollow, digestive organ where the early stages of digestion begin. It is responsible for storing and digesting the food we eat and releasing nutrients into the small intestine. This organ plays a vital role in breaking down food and preparing it for further digestion and nutrient absorption in the small intestine.

To deepen your understanding of stomach anatomy, our collection of anatomical charts and posters provides clear, detailed illustrations that simplify complex concepts. Whether you’re a student, lecturer, or healthcare professional, these visual aids are essential for enhancing your learning experience and ensuring better retention of the intricate details of stomach structure and function.

The stomach is located in the abdominal cavity, on the left side of the upper abdomen. It is positioned just below the diaphragm and to the left of the liver.

The stomach wall consists of four distinct tissue layers, from superficial to deep: the mucosa, submucosa, muscularis externa, and serosa. The mucosa and submucosa are formed into folds called rugae, which contract to assist with digestion by increasing surface area and helping to mix the food with digestive juices.

The stomach can be divided into four main sections:

• Cardia- The superior opening of the stomach, where food from the oesophagus enters.
• Fundus- The uppermost region of the stomach, located to the left of the cardia, where gas produced during digestion is stored.
• Body- The largest part of the stomach, found beneath the fundus, where the majority of digestion takes place.
• Pylorus- The region where the stomach meets the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine. The pylorus has a wide area, known as the antrum, just below the body.

The greater curvature forms the large lateral border to the left of the stomach, while the lesser curvature forms the smaller medial border on the right side of the stomach.

Our anatomical models offer a detailed, three-dimensional representation of the stomach's anatomy, including the layers of tissue, the pyloric valve, and the surrounding organs. These models are an ideal learning tool for students, educators, and healthcare professionals who want to explore and understand the complex structure and functions of the stomach. With these models, you can gain a clearer insight into how digestion occurs and study the anatomy in an interactive and tactile way.

Once food has been masticated (chewed), the bolus is transported into the stomach via the oesophagus. The stomach contains hydrochloric acid, which plays a key role in chemical digestion. The muscular walls help move the food back and forth, a process known as mechanical digestion. The bolus is transformed into chyme, a semi-fluid substance of partially digested food. This chyme then travels through the pyloric valve into the small intestine for further digestion and nutrient absorption.

The epiglottis is a small piece of cartilage located at the upper part of the larynx that prevents food from entering the trachea. Air is directed from the laryngeal pharynx into the trachea and subsequently to the lungs.

Understanding anatomy can be far more effective with high quality visual tools. Our range of anatomical models, posters and revision guides allow students and professionals to deepen their understanding through visual and tactile learning. Whether you're preparing for an exam, teaching a class, or working in a clinical setting, our resources provide a practical and engaging way to study human anatomy.