Topography
When empty it lies within the costal arch, caudal to the liver. The cardia and fundus sit on the left and dorsally, at the level of the last thoracic vertebrae; the body runs ventrally; the pyloric part crosses the median plane and the pylorus lies on the right, next to the cranial duodenal flexure. When full, the stomach extends past the costal arch and rests on the abdominal floor.
Parts
- Cardia (pars cardiaca): opening of the esophagus.
- Fundus: dorsal blind sac on the left; on radiographs it usually holds gas in right lateral recumbency.
- Body (corpus): the main part, with the greater curvature (left and ventral) and the lesser curvature.
- Pyloric part: antrum and pyloric canal, ending at the pyloric sphincter.
Clinical relevance
- Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV): an emergency of large deep-chested breeds. The stomach rotates on its axis and the pylorus moves from the right to the left and dorsally; on a right lateral radiograph the stomach looks compartmentalised ("double bubble"). Gastropexy prevents recurrence.
- Foreign bodies and gastric ulcers: frequent; diagnosed by radiography, ultrasound or endoscopy.
- Gastric axis: on a lateral radiograph the fundus-pylorus line should run almost parallel to the ribs; a shifted axis suggests a change in liver size.
3D model
The fundus and body come from the CT (that dog's gastric contents); the pyloric part up to the duodenum was modelled.