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

The pylorus (pronounced /paɪˈlɔrəs, pɪˈlɔrəs/; from the Greek πυλωρός, "gate guard") is the region of the stomach that connects to the duodenum. It is divided in two parts:

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

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.

Contents 1 Medical significance 2 Gallery 3 In Popular Culture 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Medical significance

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

[edit] Gallery

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.

[edit] In Popular Culture

Ignatius J. Reilly, the hero of John Kennedy Toole's tragicomic tale, A Confederacy of Dunces, complains frequently about problems with his pyloric valve. ^[1]

In Futurama episode four of season three, "Parasites Lost", the crew of Planet Express have to travel pass the pyloric sphincter of Fry's stomach to get to his bowel where they try to rid him of parasitic worms.

[edit] References

1. ^ Toole, John Kennedy (2000). A Confederacy of Dunces. Baton Rouge, La.: "Louisiana State University Press". pp. 338. ISBN 0807126063. 

• Stedman's/LWW 1557908

[edit] 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

v • d • e Anatomy of torso, digestive system: Gastrointestinal tract, excluding mouth (TA A05.3-7, GA 11.1141) Upper GI Hypo- pharynx Piriform sinus spaces: Peripharyngeal space (Retropharyngeal space, Parapharyngeal space) · Retrovisceral space (Retropharyngeal space, Danger space) · Prevertebral space Pterygomandibular raphe · Pharyngeal raphe · Buccopharyngeal fascia · Pharyngobasilar fascia Pharyngeal muscles Esophagus UES, LES Stomach Gastric rugae · gastric pits · cardia/gland · fundus/gland · pylorus/gland · pyloric antrum · pyloric canal · greater curvature · lesser curvature · angular incisure Lower GI Intestine: small Duodenum (Suspensory muscle, Major duodenal papilla, Minor duodenal papilla, Duodenal cap) • Duodenojejunal flexure • Jejunum • Ileum (Terminal ileum) • Ileocecal valve continuous (intestinal villus, crypts of Lieberkühn, circular folds) Intestine: large Vermiform appendix • Cecum • Colon (ascending colon, hepatic flexure, transverse colon, splenic flexure, descending colon, sigmoid colon) continuous (taenia coli, haustra, epiploic appendix) 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 Lymph GALT: Peyer's patches (M cells) digestive system navs: anat of tract,glands,perit,diaphragm/physio/dev, noncongen/congen/congen of d+w/neoplasia, symptoms+signs/eponymous, proc

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