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Home › Body Atlas › Organs › Body of the Stomach
Organ Abdomen

Body of the Stomach

corpus gastricum

The body is the largest part of the stomach, lying between the fundus above and the pyloric antrum below, which it meets at the angular incisure on the lesser curvature. Its lining is packed with gastric glands containing parietal cells, which make hydrochloric acid and intrinsic factor, and chief cells, which make pepsinogen. Its mucosa is thrown into prominent rugae.

Anatomical Data

Structure & Supply

LocationCentral part of the stomach between the fundus and the angular incisure, in the left upper quadrant and epigastrium
Parts
Nerve SupplyAnterior and posterior vagal trunks (parasympathetic); Coeliac plexus, from greater splanchnic nerves T6-T9 (sympathetic)
Blood SupplyLeft and right gastric arteries (lesser curvature); Left and right gastro-omental arteries (greater curvature); Short gastric arteries
Venous drainage
  • Left and right gastric veins
  • Gastro-omental veins
Lymphatic drainage
  • Left gastric nodes
  • Gastro-omental nodes
  • Coeliac nodes
Biomechanics

Function & Actions

Main site of acid, pepsinogen and intrinsic factor secretion, and stores and mixes food.

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

Autoimmune gastritis targets the parietal cells of the body and fundus, causing low acid, loss of intrinsic factor and pernicious anaemia. Gastric ulcers most often occur on the lesser curvature near the angular incisure. Sleeve gastrectomy for obesity removes most of the body and fundus along the greater curvature, leaving a narrow tube.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

Autoimmune Atrophic Gastritis

Immune destruction of parietal cells in the body and fundus, leading to vitamin B12 deficiency (pernicious anaemia) and a higher risk of gastric tumours.

Gastric Ulcer

Peptic ulcer of the body, typically on the lesser curvature, which needs biopsy and follow-up endoscopy because some are malignant.

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