Stomach ‒ Section

The stomach has four main regions: **the cardia**, **fundus**, **body** and **pylorus**. The cardia, or cardiac region, is where the esophagus connects to the stomach, allowing food to enter. Positioned below the diaphragm, above and to the left of the cardia, is the dome-shaped fundus. The funnel-shaped pylorus connects the stomach to the duodenum. The wider end of the funnel, the pyloric antrum, connects to the body of the stomach. The narrower part, the pyloric canal, connects to the duodenum. At this junction, the pyloric sphincter, a muscular valve, controls the release of stomach contents into the duodenum. When empty, the stomach contracts inward, and its mucosa and submucosa fold into large structures called rugae. An additional inner oblique smooth muscle in the muscularis allows the stomach to vigorously churn and mix food. *LICENSES AND ATTRIBUTIONS CC licensed content, Shared previously,Donna Browne, Digestive System Module 4: The Stomach. Authored by: OpenStax College. License: CC BY: Attribution. License Terms: Download for free at:http://cnx.org/contents/24bUfgSh@2/Digestive-System-Module-4--The* ## Keywords stomach abdominal cavity stomach lining wall small intestine esophagus juices cross-section digestive system