The stomach
The stomach is a 'j'-shaped organ, with two openings- the oesophageal and the duodenal- and four regions- the cardia, fundus, body and pylorus. Each region performs different functions; the fundus collects digestive gases, the body secretes pepsinogen and hydrochloric acid, and the pylorus is responsible for mucus, gastrin and pepsinogen secretion.
The stomach has five major functions;
- Temporary food storage
- Control the rate at which food enters the duodenum
- Acid secretion and antibacterial action
- Fluidisation of stomach contents
- Preliminary digestion with pepsin, lipases etc.
