Stomach comes from the Latin word stomachus which means « esophagus » and by extension « stomach ». It is one of the organs of the digestive tract. Food storage area, it is at this level that the digestion process begins. How does it work ? What ailments can he suffer from? How to protect and care for it? Here are our explanations.
stomach anatomy
The stomach is a sac-like organ located on the left side of the abdominal cavity, partly hidden by the liver and the diaphragm. Its dimensions vary according to the individuals and the meals but on average it measures:
- 25cm long;
- 10 to 15 cm wide;
- and can hold up to 4 liters of food.
It is part of the digestive tract: it is connected at its entrance to the esophagus and at its exit to the small intestine.
It is divided into 5 regions:
- the cardia is the area at the top of the stomach, near the esophagus. It is through the opening of the cardia that food enters the stomach. At its level is the cardial sphincter muscle which prevents gastric reflux towards the esophagus;
- the fundus is the domed region above the cardia. Food is temporarily stored at this level;
- the stomach body is the main area of the organ. It is at this level that the decomposition of food takes place;
- the pyloric antrum follows the body down from the stomach. Shrunken zone, it stores decomposed food while waiting for it to be poured into the intestine;
- the pylorus is the last part of the stomach that joins the small intestine. Funnel-shaped, it is closed by the pyloric sphincter muscle which controls the emptying of stomach contents into the small intestine.
Two main curvatures draw the shape of the stomach:
- the lesser curvature, on the concave medial side,
- the greater curvature, which corresponds to the convex side face.
Stomach functions
The stomach temporarily stores food. But it is also the seat of the degradation of solid foods into a kind of mush called « chyme ».
When the food arrives in the stomach, it is reduced to fragments. This stage is made possible by the contraction of the stomach muscle, the muscularis. Composed of three layers of fibers arranged longitudinally, circularly and obliquely, it mixes and kneads food.
Then begins the chemical digestion. Only protein digestion begins in the stomach. The mucosa contains glands that secrete gastric juices. Under normal conditions, the production of juices is 2-3 liters per day. Hydrochloric acid and enzymes are also produced by stomach cells. All of these substances are mixed with the food and break it down. Crushed, it is transformed into liquid, the chyme. At this point, the chyme is at the level of the pylorus. It is then propelled little by little into the small intestine by contraction of the stomach. Typically, the stomach empties in about 4 hours after a balanced meal and a minimum of 6 hours for a high fat meal.
Interestingly, a mucus coats the stomach lining to counteract the corrosive effects of hydrochloric acid and enzymes.
Stomach pathologies
Stomach pathologies include aerophagia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, stomach cancer, and many others. Discover all the pathologies associated with the stomach.
Aerophagia
Aerophagia is a physiological phenomenon characterized by abnormally high air intake during swallowing. Air accumulates in the esophagus and sometimes a small amount in the stomach when the subject drinks or eats, causing bloating and belching or burping.
Gastroesophageal reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux or heartburn refers to the rising of part of the contents of the stomach into the esophagus. This content is very acidic and the wall of the esophagus is not designed to withstand such acidity, which leads to its inflammation which results in feelings of burning or irritation.
stomach cancer
Stomach cancer develops from a parietal cell, i.e. a cell in the wall of the stomach, initially normal, which multiplies uncontrollably to form a mass called a tumor. smart. It is a cancer that progresses slowly and is rarely encountered before the age of 50.
Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis is an infection of the digestive system that causes:
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- abdominal cramps;
- diarrhoea.
In the majority of cases, it is short-lived, symptoms occur quickly and usually disappear after 1 to 3 days. It is most often caused by a virus or bacteria that is transmitted mainly by:
- hands ;
- the water ;
- contaminated food: this is called food poisoning.
The ulcer
Ulcer is an inflammation of the stomach wall. The ulcer is linked to the proliferation of a stomach bacterium, Helicobacter pylori i, which invades the layer of mucus which normally protects the stomach from acidity. It thus disrupts the protective mechanism in some people. This layer of mucus disappears then it is the ulcer itself which causes lesions of the internal wall of the stomach.
Gastritis
Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining. It translates to:
- heartburn;
- difficulty digesting.
Generally not serious, gastritis can be caused by:
- the alcohol ;
- medication ;
- Helicobacter pylori.
The hiatal hernia
A hiatal hernia is where the stomach rises partly through a small opening called the esophageal hiatus, located in the diaphragm, the breathing muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdomen.
Stomach Treatments and Prevention
Prevention of gastroesophageal reflux
Smoking and obesity are major contributors to the onset of gastroesophageal reflux disease. No proven prevention exists, but certain measures can reduce burns:
- watching your diet is a key point;
- Avoiding foods that are too fatty can help, because fat slows the passage of food from the stomach and reflux is greater when the stomach is full.
Prevention of gastroenteritis
Several preventive measures exist to avoid the spread of gastroenteritis. This disease spreads very easily and knowing that 80% of germs are transmitted by the hands 3 , good washing is your main ally against contamination. The World Health Organization or WHO considers that this is the most important hygiene measure to prevent the transmission of these infections.
Prevention of stomach pain
Taking certain medications can cause stomach pain. This is particularly the case for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs such as aspirin or ibuprofen, widely used against rheumatic diseases.
These substances increase the risk of gastric complications. In some cases, a stomach-protecting drug may be combined with NSAIDs. But this prescription should not however be systematic specifies the Health Insurance 4 in a report of 2009. « This decision rests, for each patient, on his age or the analysis of his risk factors of gastroduodenal complication ». The National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) 5 advises to “use NSAIDs at the minimum effective dose, for the shortest possible duration”.
Stomach exams
There are several stomach examinations.
Upper digestive fibroscopy
“ Upper “ digestive fibroscopy is the reference examination that allows visualization of the inside of the upper digestive tract. This includes the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. This examination is carried out thanks to the introduction of a flexible tube, provided with small cameras. It is also called fiberscope or endoscope. We can also speak of a gastroscope. The terms « endoscopy » and « gastroscopy » then designate the same examination. It allows to highlight a gastroesophageal reflux, a hiatal hernia or an ulcer for example.
Ultrasound endoscopy
Echo-endoscopy is an examination which combines endoscopy, or visualization of the interior of the digestive tract, with echography, that is to say the analysis by ultrasound of the wall and the organs located in the beyond the wall. Echo-endoscopy is the most effective examination for studying the wall:
- esophagus;
- stomach;
- duodenum;
- neighboring organs.
It allows to search and analyze benign or malignant tumours.
radiography
Radiography is a medical imaging technique that uses X-rays. For the exploration of the upper digestive tract including the esophagus, stomach and duodenum, the examination is preceded by the ingestion of a liquid called » of contrast”. It helps bring out the digestive tract when taking x-rays.
Esophageal pHmetry
Esophageal pHmetry is the measurement of the acidity or pH of the esophagus. This test is used to diagnose and assess the severity of gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Esophageal manometry
Esophageal manometry is a test that measures the contraction of the esophagus and the tone of the lower sphincter. It helps to highlight the existence of ailments such as gastroesophageal reflux.
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Anecdote and stomach
Australian researchers Robin Warren and Barry Marshall showed in 1982 that stomach ulcers were caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori and could be treated with antibiotics.
But in the 1980s, the scientific community believed that ulcers were linked to stress and lifestyle. Hence a certain skepticism about this new discovery.
To prove their hypothesis, Barry Marshall then infected himself with the bacteria and then treated himself with antibiotics! Warren and Marshall received the 2005 Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology for their work on stomach ulcers
