Cardia of Stomach Flashcards

Examine the gastric cardia, its gastroesophageal junction, mucosal glands, anatomical relations, vascular supply, and clinical significance.

Card 1 of 25Question

What is the cardia of the stomach?

The region of the stomach surrounding the opening of the esophagus into the gastric lumen.

In This Section

1. What is the cardia of the stomach?

The region of the stomach surrounding the opening of the esophagus into the gastric lumen.

2. Where is the gastric cardia located?

Near the gastroesophageal junction in the upper left abdomen, immediately inferior to the diaphragm.

3. At approximately which vertebral level is the cardiac orifice located?

T11, slightly left of the midline.

4. Which part of the gastrointestinal tract opens into the gastric cardia?

The abdominal esophagus.

5. Which region of the stomach lies superior and to the left of the cardia?

The fundus of the stomach.

6. What is the cardiac notch of the stomach?

The indentation between the abdominal esophagus and the fundus, forming the angle of His.

7. What is the angle of His?

The acute angle formed between the esophagus and the fundus at the gastroesophageal junction.

8. What is the physiological lower esophageal sphincter?

A high-pressure zone of distal esophageal smooth muscle that helps prevent reflux of gastric contents.

9. Does the gastric cardia contain a distinct anatomical sphincter?

No. The antireflux barrier depends on a physiological sphincter and surrounding anatomical structures.

10. Which part of the diaphragm reinforces the gastroesophageal antireflux barrier?

The crural diaphragm, particularly fibers of the right crus surrounding the esophageal hiatus.

11. What is the phrenoesophageal ligament?

A fascial attachment connecting the distal esophagus to the diaphragm while permitting movement during swallowing.

12. Which epithelial transition occurs at the gastroesophageal junction?

Nonkeratinized stratified squamous esophageal epithelium changes to simple columnar gastric epithelium.

13. What is the Z-line at the gastroesophageal junction?

The visible squamocolumnar junction between esophageal squamous epithelium and gastric columnar epithelium.

14. Which gastric glands are characteristic of the cardia?

Cardiac glands, which are predominantly mucus-secreting glands.

15. What is the principal function of mucus produced by cardiac glands?

Lubrication and protection of the gastroesophageal junction from gastric contents.

16. Which artery provides a major arterial supply to the gastric cardia?

The left gastric artery, a branch of the celiac trunk.

17. Which additional arteries may contribute to the blood supply of the cardia?

Esophageal branches and short gastric arteries, with variable contributions.

18. Which major vein receives much of the venous drainage from the gastric cardia?

The left gastric vein, which drains into the portal venous system.

19. Why is the gastroesophageal junction an important site of portosystemic anastomosis?

Left gastric venous tributaries communicate with esophageal veins draining into the azygos system.

20. Which lymph nodes commonly receive lymphatic drainage from the gastric cardia?

Paracardial and left gastric lymph nodes, with subsequent drainage toward celiac nodes.

21. Which nerves provide parasympathetic innervation to the gastric cardia?

The anterior and posterior vagal trunks derived from the vagus nerves.

22. Which autonomic plexus distributes sympathetic fibers to the gastric cardia?

The celiac plexus, primarily through periarterial pathways accompanying the left gastric artery.

23. What is a sliding hiatal hernia?

Upward displacement of the gastroesophageal junction and part of the stomach through the esophageal hiatus.

24. What condition commonly results from failure of the gastroesophageal antireflux barrier?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, caused by recurrent reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus.

25. What is Barrett's esophagus?

Replacement of distal esophageal squamous epithelium by intestinal-type columnar epithelium associated with chronic reflux.