The feeling of fullness after eating a meal... or sometimes a little discomfort in the stomach... We have all experienced these things. This "stomach" that we often call "stomach" or the stomach as it is medically called is an amazing organ in our body. It's like a little kitchen inside our body. This stomach is one of the most important stops on this journey that turns every food we eat into energy. So, today, let's take a look at exactly what this stomach is, how it works, and what we need to do to keep it healthy.
Simply put, what is this stomach?
Imagine, a bag-like organ in the shape of the English letter 'J'. That's what the stomach is called. Its main function is to digest the food we eat. For this purpose, the stomach produces special enzymes - substances that speed up chemical processes - and acidic liquids (we call them digestive juices ). These enzymes and acidic liquids combine to break down the food we eat, dissolve it, and then make it ready for passage to the small intestine.
Our stomach is just one part of the digestive system ( Gastrointestinal Tract or GI tract for short). This digestive system is a long tube-like system that starts at our mouth and ends at our anus. The entire process of turning the food we eat into energy takes place inside this system.
What are the main functions of the stomach?
The stomach has three main jobs. It's very simple.
- Temporary storage of food: When we swallow food, it is not all sent to the other side at once. It is kept inside the stomach for a while.
- Mixing and crushing food: The walls of the stomach are made up of muscles. These muscles constantly contract and expand, like a blender. This process breaks down the food into fine powders and mixes it with the liquid.
- Producing enzymes and fluids needed to digest food: As mentioned earlier, the chemicals needed to digest food are produced and added to food inside the stomach.
Food goes on a journey: The story of the digestive system
The food we eat travels from our mouths. Let's take a step-by-step look at how that journey happens.
1. Mouth: The journey begins here. When we put food in our mouth and chew, our teeth break it into small pieces. It mixes with saliva in our mouth, making it easier to digest. When we swallow, our tongue pushes the food down into our throat. This is where something amazing happens to keep us from choking. There is a small flap of tissue called the epiglottis over our windpipe. Every time we swallow, this flap closes off the windpipe. So food doesn't go down that way.
2. Esophagus: Next, the food goes down a tube called the esophagus. This is like a road that takes food to the stomach. At the end of this tube is a ring-shaped muscle. We call it a sphincter . When food comes in, this muscle relaxes and opens the door to the stomach.
3. Stomach: This is where the food reaches our protagonist. This is where the digestion process mentioned earlier takes place. The food is kept inside the stomach until it is well dissolved and becomes a liquid-like state.
4. Small intestine: After the stomach, this liquid food gradually moves into the small intestine. This is where the real magic happens. Other digestive juices from organs like our liver and pancreas are added to this food. Then, all the nutrients and water in the food are absorbed into the body through the walls of the small intestine.
5. Large intestine: The remaining parts of the body that are not needed, that is, waste, go to the large intestine. Here, some more water is absorbed from the waste, turning it into stool.
6. Rectum: Eventually, these stools end up in the rectum, the lowest part of the large intestine. When we need to defecate, they exit the body from here.
Where is the stomach located? How big is it?
The stomach is located in the upper part of our abdomen (belly), on the left side . The upper part of the stomach is connected to the esophagus. The lower part is connected to the small intestine.
The size of the stomach varies from person to person. And even in the same person, its size changes from time to time. Think of it like a balloon. When you are hungry, that is, when the stomach is empty, it shrinks and becomes small. But when we eat a good meal and our stomach is full, it stretches and becomes large. So the size of the stomach changes depending on how much you eat and how long it has been since you ate.
Shall we divide the stomach into parts?
The stomach can be divided into five main parts, each of which has a specific function.
| Stomach section | Simply put, what happens? |
|---|---|
| Cardia | This is the uppermost entrance to the stomach. Food from the esophagus enters through this. There is a muscle (cardiac sphincter) here that prevents the contents of the stomach from going back up into the esophagus. |
| Fundus | This is the dome-shaped part on the side of the heart. It is located below the diaphragm, a large muscle that helps us breathe. |
| Body/Corpus | This is the largest part of the stomach. It is in this part that food begins to be thoroughly mixed and crushed. |
| Antrum | This is the part below the body. It holds some food until it's ready to be sent to the small intestine. |
| Pylorus | The lowest part of the stomach. There is also a ring of muscle (pyloric sphincter) here. This muscle controls when and how the contents of the stomach are sent into the small intestine. |
The layers that make up the stomach wall
The stomach wall is not made up of a single membrane. It has several layers, just like an onion.
- Mucosa: This is the innermost layer of the stomach. When the stomach is empty, this layer has small wrinkles (rugae). When the stomach is full of food, this layer stretches and the wrinkles disappear.
- Submucosa: This is located beneath the mucous membrane. It contains connective tissue, blood vessels, lymph vessels , and nerve cells. Its main function is to protect the mucous membrane inside.
- Muscularis externa: This is the main muscle of the stomach. It is also made up of three layers. It is this muscle layer that contracts and expands to grind food.
- Serosa: This is the name given to the membrane that covers the outside of the stomach.
Common conditions that can affect the stomach
The most important thing is that if you have these symptoms, do not just look at the internet and decide that you have an illness, but definitely see a doctor and seek advice .
Various diseases related to the digestive system can affect the stomach. Some are temporary, such as gastritis during pregnancy. Some are chronic, meaning they last a long time.
| Illness | Simply put, |
|---|---|
| Gastric ulcers | Erosion (tearing) of the inner wall of the stomach, causing ulcers. This can cause pain and bleeding. |
| Gastritis | Swelling or inflammation of the stomach wall is a common condition among many people in our country. |
| GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease) | Acidic fluids from the stomach flow back up into the esophagus. This can cause heartburn or coughing. We call this condition "reflux." |
| Gastroparesis | Due to damage to the nerves that help the stomach muscles contract, the digestion process can be very slow. |
| Indigestion / Dyspepsia | Discomfort, pain, or burning in the upper abdomen. This can often occur after eating a heavy meal. |
| Peptic ulcer disease | Ulcers in the stomach or the first part of the small intestine. |
| Stomach cancer | Uncontrolled growth of cancer cells in the stomach. |
How do we keep our stomach healthy?
By making small changes to our lifestyle, we can keep our stomach and entire digestive system healthy.
- Limit alcohol consumption: Drink alcohol in moderation, and only in very small amounts.
- Drink enough water: It is very important to drink at least 2-3 liters of water per day. This amount may vary depending on your activity level and body size.
- Eat foods rich in fiber: Include foods like vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains in your diet.
- Exercise regularly: Even something as simple as walking for 30 minutes a day can be very beneficial.
- Limit processed foods: Reduce fast foods with preservatives and artificial flavors as much as possible.
- Manage stress: You can reduce stress by doing things like meditation, yoga, and engaging in hobbies. There is a strong link between stress and gastritis.
- Avoid smoking completely.
If you have these symptoms, you should definitely see a doctor.
If you have been having stomach problems for a long time, it is best to see a gastroenterologist. But first, consult your family doctor for advice. If you have one or more of the following symptoms, see a doctor without delay .
- Chest pain
- Fever
- Frequent nausea and vomiting
- Pus or blood in the stool
- Severe dehydration or diarrhea
- Sudden severe abdominal pain
Don't ignore these symptoms as normal. They could be early signs of a serious medical condition. Therefore, it is important to seek proper medical advice.
Take-Home Message
- The stomach is a very important stop on the journey of digesting the food we eat and turning it into energy.
- The acidic liquid and enzymes inside it dissolve food thoroughly, preparing it for passage into the small intestine.
- Diseases like gastritis, ulcers, and GERD can affect the stomach. If you have long-term symptoms, it is essential to seek medical advice.
- We can keep our stomach healthy by eating a healthy diet, drinking enough water, exercising, and managing stress.
- Never ignore sudden and severe abdominal pain or blood in your stool. See a doctor immediately.
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