Anatomy of the human stomach, identify the function of each part

The stomach is one of the most important organs in the digestive system. However, there is a lot you need to know about the anatomy and function of the stomach. Come on, see the full explanation here.

The main function of the stomach

The stomach is the most important part of the digestive process. Digestive organs that are shaped like letters J it has a number of important functions. There are also a number of main functions of the stomach in the digestive system, namely:

• temporary food storage,
• break down acids from the food consumed, and
• sends food to the next phase to the small intestine.

When the food reaches the stomach, the food undergoes a digestive process, both mechanically and chemically. Mechanical digestion is a process that involves the lining of the stomach muscles to break down food into smaller and smoother sizes.

Meanwhile, the chemical digestion process utilizes stomach acid, digestive enzymes, and other digestive hormones. This process aims to break down nutrients, especially protein, into small molecules that are easily processed by the small intestine.

Gastric structure

The location of the human stomach is in the cavity to the left of the stomach. This organ is connected by two channels at each end. The upper end of the stomach is connected to the esophagus, aka esophagus, which is a channel that functions as a passage for food to enter from the mouth.

Meanwhile, the lower part of the stomach is connected to the small intestine, which is a long tube-shaped organ that connects the stomach to the large intestine. The first part of the intestine borders the stomach is the duodenum (duodenum).

The following is the structure of the stomach which has been divided into five parts.

Cardiac

Cardiac is the upper part of the stomach directly adjacent to the esophagus. Food that has been mashed in the mouth and passed through the esophagus will pass through this area before being digested by the middle of the stomach.

On the other hand, the area where the esophagus meets the stomach is better known as the gastroesophageal junction (GE). At the end of the cardiac are the cardiac sphincters, which are ring-shaped muscles that prevent stomach acid from rising into the esophagus.

Fundus

After passing through the cardiac, food will move towards the fundus. The fundus is the curved top of the stomach just below the diaphragm.

In this section the food begins to undergo the process of digestion and mixing with enzymes.

Gastric body

The stomach body is the part of the stomach that has the most important function. This is because the stomach body is where food is digested, mixed with enzymes, until it is processed into smaller parts called kim.

Antrum

The antrum or pylorus is the lowest part of the stomach. The curved shape of the antrum allows it to accommodate kim before being distributed to the small intestine.

Pylorus

The pylorus is the very end of the stomach. This section is directly related to the small intestine. The pylorus is made up of the pyloric sphincter, which is a ring-shaped muscle that acts as a valve, much like the cardiac sphincter.

The function of the pyloric sphincter is to regulate its discharge kim from the stomach to the beginning of the small intestine (duodenum). This part of the stomach also serves to prevent kim which has headed to the small intestine so as not to move back into the stomach.

The lining of the stomach wall

After getting to know the functions and parts of the stomach, don't forget to know the anatomy of the stomach wall.

You see, the stomach is composed of several layers of smooth muscle that are flat. Unlike the limb muscles that work under control, the stomach muscles need to move automatically. This allows the stomach muscles not to stop working even though you are unconscious.

Reporting from the University of Rochester Medical Center, there are four layers of tissue that make up the stomach and the function of each part. The following is an explanation of the lining of the stomach wall.

Mucosa (mucous membrane)

The mucosa or mucous membrane is the innermost layer of the stomach that works directly with the food being digested. If the stomach is empty, the mucosal lining shrinks, resulting in a tooth-like shape, aka rugae.

Conversely, rugae will become flatter when the stomach is full of food. During digestion, this mucosal layer produces two digestive substances, namely hydrochloric acid and pepsin to break down proteins into small parts called peptones.

Submucosa

The submucosa is the lining of the stomach which is made up of connective tissue. The tissue that makes up the submucosa layer of the stomach contains nerve cells, lymph vessels, and blood vessels with the function of channeling nutrients to the stomach.

Muscularis externa

The muscularis externa is the lining of the stomach that covers the submucosa lining. This section is composed of three muscle layers at once, namely the circular, elongated, and oblique muscle layers that help the digestive process in the stomach.

The muscles of the muscularis externa elongate and shorten, resulting in a wavy motion called peristalsis. This movement causes the food to grind and stir until it becomes a fine pulp known as kim.

Serous

The serosa, or visceral peritoneum, is the outermost lining of your stomach. The function of this layer is to reduce the friction force between the stomach and various other organs around the digestive system.

Glands in the stomach

When observed under a microscope, the lining of the stomach appears to be filled with tiny holes called gastric pits. This hole is the discharge of stomach acid, enzymes, and hormones produced by gastric gland cells.

There are also some of the main glandular cells found in the stomach wall and the functions they have, including:

• mucosal cells which produces akali mucus to protect stomach cells from excess stomach acid and pressure,
• parietal cells which produces hydrochloric acid (stomach acid),
• cell chief which produces the enzyme pepsin to break down proteins, and
• cell G which produces the hormone gastrin as a stimulant for gastric activity and gastric acid production.

The various cells above are scattered in the stomach with varying numbers. Parietal cells, for example, are found in many parts of the stomach body. However, these cells are hardly found in the pylorus of the stomach.

Hull size

Basically, the stomach is elastic so it can shrink and enlarge. If you eat large portions, your stomach will feel full quickly. However, the stomach will return to its normal size after digestion takes place.

This means that the capacity of the stomach can change if you are accustomed to eating certain portions. The size of the stomach capacity is adjusted by the composition and amount of food consumed.

By recognizing the function and anatomy of the stomach, this will help you maintain your digestive system so that your body stays healthy during your daily activities.