Title: Stomach - Innvista
Headings: Stomach
Stomach
Functions
Regions
Structures
Digestive Phases
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Content: Stomach - Innvista
Home › Health › Anatomy › Stomach
Stomach
The stomach is a pouch-like organ that lies in the upper left part of the abdominal cavity, just under the diaphragm and next to the liver. Functions
The stomach has five functions: digestion of food
secretion of gastric juices as well as mucus which helps to coat its lining, preventing erosion by gastric juices
secretion of gastric hormones
regulation of the rate at which partially digested food is delivered to the small intestine
absorption of small quantities of water and dissolved substances. It does not absorb very well, except in the case of alcohol. Consumption of alcohol on an empty stomach will quickly increase blood levels. Regions
The major regions of the stomach include: the fundus or the body
the pyloric canal
Structures
The pyloric sphincter (located at the end of the pyloric canal) helps regulate the rate at which gastric contents are delivered to the small intestine. Rugae are thick accordion-like folds within the stomach that allow it to expand during a large meal. This remains permanent when stretched too often during frequent overeating. The stomach has three layers of muscles that lie in three directions: