Pylorus

Pylorus
Outline of stomach, showing its anatomical landmarks.
Interior of the stomach. (Pylorus labeled at center left.)
Latin	valvula pylori
Gray's	subject #247 1164
Dorlands/Elsevier	v_02/12844554

The pylorus (from Greek πυλωρος = "gate guard") is the region of the stomach that connects to the duodenum. It is divided in three parts:

• the pyloric antrum, which connects to the body of the stomach.
• the pyloric canal, which connects to the duodenum.
• the balls

The pyloric sphincter, or valve, is a strong ring of smooth muscle at the end of the pyloric canal and lets food pass from the stomach to the duodenum. It receives sympathetic innervation from celiac ganglion.

Medical significance

One medical condition associated with the pylorus is pyloric stenosis. In such conditions as stomach cancer, when tumours may partly block the pyloric canal, a special tube can be implanted surgically to connect the stomach to the duodenum to assist food to pass from one to the other. This tube is called a pyloric stent.

Additional images

The longitudinal and circular muscular fibers of the stomach, viewed from above and in front.

The oblique muscular fibers of the stomach, viewed from above and in front.

References

• Stedman's/LWW 1557908

External links

• SUNY Labs 37:06-0105 - "Abdominal Cavity: The Stomach"
• SUNY Labs 38:07-0102 - "Stomach, Spleen and Liver: The Pylorus"
• SUNY Anatomy Image 8150

Anatomy of torso, digestive system: Gastrointestinal tract
Upper GI: to stomach	Mouth • Pharynx (nasopharynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx) • Esophagus • Crop
Upper GI: stomach	rugae - gastric pits - cardia/gland - fundus/gland - pylorus/gland - pyloric antrum - pyloric canal - greater curvature - lesser curvature - angular incisure
Lower GI: intestines	Small intestine: Duodenum (Suspensory muscle, Major duodenal papilla, Minor duodenal papilla) • Duodenojejunal flexure • Jejunum • Ileum • continuous (intestinal villus, crypts of Lieberkühn, circular folds) Junction: Vermiform appendix • Ileocecal valve Large intestine: Cecum • Colon (ascending colon, hepatic flexure, transverse colon, splenic flexure, descending colon, sigmoid colon) • continuous (taenia coli, haustra, epiploic appendix)
Lower GI: termination	Rectum: Houston valve • rectal ampulla • pectinate line Anal canal: anal valves • anal sinuses • anal columns • Hilton's white line Anus: Sphincter ani internus muscle • Sphincter ani externus muscle
Lower GI: lymph	GALT: Peyer's patches (M cells)