The stomach is a digestive organ that almost all animals have. It is directly involved in the decomposition and utilization of the ingested food and transmits it to the intestines. The stomach can be affected by numerous diseases of varying severity. Mild digestive disorders are particularly common.
What is the stomach?
Infographic showing the anatomy and structure of the stomach with gastric ulcer. Click to enlarge. The stomach is an important digestive organ, with which almost all animals and therefore humans are equipped. The human stomach is a so-called monocavitary stomach, a hollow muscular organ with a mucous membrane inside. The stomach takes in the food it receives and begins to break it down, or break it down, before passing it on to the intestinal tract for further digestion. This is where the actual digestion takes place. The size or capacity of the stomach is 1.5 liters on average; however, this amount can vary in individual cases.
Anatomy and structure
The stomach is located in the human abdomen at the lower end of the esophagus, which feeds food to it through what is called the gastric inlet or stomach mouth. The organ has a curvature; the actual shape of the stomach is not constant, but depends, among other things, on how full it is. Thus, it lowers slightly when there is a lot of food in it. Pre-digestion of the same takes place in the body of the stomach, the largest part of the organ. In front of the body of the stomach is the base of the stomach. This catches the air swallowed during eating and prevents it from entering the body of the stomach. The lower end of the stomach is the connection to the duodenum. This part is appropriately called the “gatekeeper.” It passes food in small portions to the intestines.
Functions and tasks
The stomach, as mentioned earlier, is directly involved in digestion. However, while the actual digestive process takes place in the intestines, the stomach’s primary function is to break down the proteins (proteins) in the food, preparing it for the intestinal tract. The gastric acid contained inside the organ activates the enzymes pepsin and cathepsin, which are needed to break down the protein. Food components for fats or carbohydrates, on the other hand, usually pass through the stomach unaffected. Stomach acid also helps protect the stomach and the entire digestive tract from pathogens and infections. Most types of bacteria are unable to survive the so-called gastric juice and are destroyed on direct contact. The flexibility of the stomach allows the organ to adapt to the amount and frequency of food intake. Thus, it is possible for a person to eat only a few meals a day: The gatekeeper passes the predigested food to the duodenum in small amounts, so that the stomach is never completely empty and there are always enough nutrients for optimal functioning.
Diseases
The stomach can be affected by a variety of diseases. Common are milder digestive complaints such as heartburn (reflux), stomach pressure or gastrointestinal infections. Gastritis or stomach ulcers are also not uncommon. The causes of such diseases are usually to be found in an unfavorable lifestyle, for example with an irregular and unhealthy diet and a lot of stress. Taking various medications can also attack the stomach. Often the symptoms can already be alleviated by a change in lifestyle – if this is done in time, chronic stomach diseases can be prevented. Serious illnesses such as stomach cancer or, for example, stomach bleeding caused by long-term alcohol consumption require urgent medical treatment, as in the worst case they can lead to the death of the person affected. In principle, stomach complaints should not be taken lightly. If they are not treated over a long period of time, the function of the stomach can be impaired, which can significantly reduce the patient’s quality of life. If a feeling of fullness, heartburn and pressure or pain in the stomach area occur, it is advisable to consult a doctor. With the help of a gastroscopy (gastroscopy) and a comprehensive examination, the causes can be determined and treated.
Typical and common diseases
- Gastric ulcer
- Inflammation of the gastric mucosa (gastritis)
- Stomach flu
- Duodenal ulcer
- Irritable stomach
- Stomach cancer
- Crohn’s disease (chronic inflammation of the intestine)
- Ulcerative colitis
- Appendicitis
