Stomach Facts for Kids

A Picture of the Human Stomach
  • Organ Name: Stomach
  • Organ System: Digestive system
  • Organ Purpose: Aid in digesting food
  • Organ Location: The gastrointestinal tract
  • Organ FMA ID: 7148
  • Organ TA ID: A05.5.01.001

19 Stomach Facts for Kids

  1. The stomach is a hollow, bean-shaped organ that is part of the human digestive system.
  2. The stomach is part of the human gastrointestinal tract (GI).
  3. The stomach breaks down food using chemicals and enzymes before it’s passed into the small intestines.
  4. The stomach produces as acid known as hydrochloric acid and it can dissolve bones and some metals.
  5. There are four main sections of the stomach, and they are the cardia, fundus, body and pylorus.
  6. The cardia is where food from the esophagus empties into the stomach.
  7. The fundus is the upper part of the stomach where undigested food and gases released during digestion are stored.
  8. The body is the middle part of the stomach where food is processed and digested.
  9. The pylorus is where digested food is emptied into the first part of the small intestines (duodendum).
  10. Digested food that leaves the stomach and goes into the small intestines is called chyme.
  11. Chyme is pulp that contains partly digested food and gastric juices.
  12. The maximum volume an adult human stomach can hold is between 0.50 and 1 gallon.
  13. The stomach plays a role in defending your body from pathogens. The acidity in the human stomach can kill certain pathogens and neutralize some toxins.
  14. A stomach ulcer, also known as a gastric ulcer, is caused by a break in the inner lining of your stomach and can cause a dull ache or burning sensation.
  15. A burp is air that was swallowed with food and is released via the mouth.
  16. To help obese people lose weight a procedure known as bariatric surgery can be performed. In this surgical procedure a gastric band can be used to limit the intake of the stomach or the stomach may be bypassed all together.
  17. The stomach is only a part of the human digestive system and a human can live without a stomach. Your small intestines do the most when it comes to food digestion and absorption.
  18. The Foundational Model of Anatomy ID for the stomach is 7148.
  19. The Terminologia Anatomica ID for the stomach is A05.5.01.001.

Additional Resources on the Human Stomach

  • How the Stomach Works – Find out how the human stomach works on the National Institute of Health website.
  • Stomach Disorders – Discover some of the different diseases and disorders that can affect the human stomach on the MedlinePlus website.
  • Anatomy of the Stomach – Learn about the anatomy of the human stomach on the National Cancer Institute website.
  • Stomach and Duodenum – An excellent article by the Medical Univeristy of South Carolina talking about the stomachj and the duodenum.

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