What are the Four regions of stomach?

The stomach is a J-shaped organ that plays a vital role in the digestive system. It is divided into four main regions:

1. Cardia:

- This is the upper part of the stomach, which is closest to the esophagus.

- It contains a muscular sphincter known as the cardiac sphincter, which regulates the passage of food from the esophagus into the stomach.

2. Fundus:

- It is the uppermost rounded portion of the stomach, located above the level of the gastroesophageal junction.

- The fundus helps store gas produced during digestion and also contributes to the mixing of food within the stomach.

- It also produces gastric juices, including hydrochloric acid and pepsin, which aid in the digestion process.

3. Body (Corpus):

- This is the main central region of the stomach.

- The walls of the body are highly muscular and aid in the mechanical digestion of food.

- It contains gastric glands that secrete gastric juices, further contributing to the breakdown of food particles.

4. Antrum:

- The antrum is the lower part of the stomach, which connects to the small intestine.

- It contains the pyloric sphincter, another muscular valve, which controls the passage of partially digested food (chyme) from the stomach into the small intestine.

Each region of the stomach has specific functions related to the digestion and movement of food. The process of digestion begins in the mouth and continues in the stomach, where the food is churned, mixed, and broken down by the action of muscles and gastric juices. The stomach plays a crucial role in preparing the food for further absorption and digestion in the small intestine.