Expansion
Cardia, fundus, body, antrum and pylorus
Expansion
From the oesophagus down:
- Cardia - surrounds the oesophageal opening
- Fundus - the dome above the level of the cardia; holds the gastric gas bubble
- Body - the largest part; contains most parietal and chief cells
- Pyloric antrum - begins at the incisura angularis; contains the G cells
- Pylorus - the thickened sphincter opening into the duodenum
Two curvatures define its shape: the short lesser curvature on the right, and the long greater curvature on the left.
The regional distinction matters because pathology is region-specific. Acid-secreting mucosa is in the body and fundus, gastrin-secreting mucosa in the antrum, and adenocarcinoma most often arises in the antrum and lesser curvature. Gastric ulcers on the lesser curvature are typically benign, while those elsewhere warrant more suspicion.