Anatomy of the stomach, intestines and accessory organs

Question 1

Describe the shape of the stomach and its location relative to the abdomen and diaphram.

Answer 1

The stomach is a BACKWARD “C” shaped organ located along the left side of the abdomen, and below the diaphram.

Question 2

Describe the passage of food into and out of the stomach

Answer 2

Food enters the stomach from the esophagus via the cardioesophageal sphincter, and exits the stomach via the pyloric sphincter into the small intestine.

Question 3

Describe the lesser curvature and the greater curvature.

Answer 3

The Stomach has 2 curvatures: concave lesser curvature which extends inward on the shorter side of the stomach, and the convex greater curvature which extends outward on the longer side of the stomach.

Question 4

Describe the lesser omentum and the greater omentum.

Answer 4

Lesser Omentum: a serous membrane which attachs the lesser curvature of the stomach to the liver.

Greater Omentum: a serous membrane which attachs the greater curvature of the stomach to the posterior wall of the body.

Question 5

List and describe the 2 functions of the stomach.

Answer 5

1. temporary storage area for food, storing up to 2 liters of partially digested food.
2. the muscular walls of the stomach contract vigorously and mix food with juices that are secreted whenever food enters the stomach, allowing food to be broken down into smaller pieces that are easier to digest.

Question 6

The pH of the stomach is 1.3 to 3.5.

What is this due to, and what is its source and function?

Answer 6

The 1.3 to 3.5 pH of stomach contents is due to the hydrochloric aicd secreted by the parietal cells. The high acidity level kills bacteria and converts the inactive pepsinogen into the active enzyme pepsin.

Question 7

What is the source of the stomach enzyme pepsin and what is its function?

Answer 7

Inactive pepsinogen is secreted by the chief cells and converted into the active enzyme pepsin by HCI. Pepsin then begins the breakdown of proteins.

Question 8

What is a stomach ulcer?

Answer 8

an open sore in the wall of the stomach

Question 9

Explain in detail how the stomach contents enter the small intestine.

Answer 9

The pyloric sphincter valve, located at the base of the stomach, relaxes, causing a small quantity of chyme to pass through the opening into the first part of the small intestine. This initiates a reflex that causes the muscles of the sphincter to contract and close the opening temporarily. Then the sphincter relaxes again and allows more chyme to enter.