Surgery and Radiology Section

STOMACH

• Capacity is about 3 litres. When full it is pyriform. The left part is large and rounded while the right part is small and cylindrical.
• The parietal surface is extensive, convex, faces forwards, downwards and to the left.
• It is related to the liver, diaphragm and left ventral and lateral abdominal wall as far as the level of the 2^nd and 3^rd lumbar vertebra.
• The visceral surface is less extensive and is related to the intestine pancreas and left kidney.
• The lesser curvature is nearly straight above but below it makes a sharp bend forming an angle.
• The greater curvature is extensive and it extends, when the stomach is full behind the costal arch.
• Ventrally it lies on the abdominal floor about midway –between xiphoid cartilage and pubis.