To better understand gastritis, it helps to understand the anatomy of the stomach.

The esophagus is a muscular tube that propels food down to the stomach. The stomach is the most dilated portion of the digestive tube, situated between the esophagus and the beginning of the small intestine (duodenum). It lies in the upper central portion of the abdomen (above the umbilicus) and to the left of the midline. The stomach produces gastric juice (acidic), which serves to breakdown proteins.

Gastrointestinal anatomy:

• Esophagus and stomach
• Intestines
• Blood vessels of the intestines
• Entire gastrointestinal tract