The abdomen and stomach are two completely different structures of the human body. The abdomen is a complete region present between the chest and the pelvic region. The stomach is present within the abdomen and is part of the human digestive system. The abdomen is like a house for different organs, including the liver, pancreas, small and large intestine, rectum, gallbladder, spleen, and stomach. The stomach is responsible for the digestion of food eaten by humans.

What is the abdomen?

The abdomen is the region between the thoracic and pelvic cavities. It extends from the chest at the diaphragm to the pelvis at the pelvic rim and this space is called the abdominal cavity. The boundaries of the abdomen are formed by the abdominal wall that includes skin, subcutaneous tissue, fascia, three layers of transverse abdominal muscles, external and internal oblique, transverse fascia, and peritoneum. The abdomen is the largest body cavity that includes the digestive tract, liver, gallbladder, spleen, urinary system, kidney, and pancreas. In the abdomen, the digestion and absorption of food occurs in the digestive tract. The digestive tract includes the lower esophagus, stomach, small intestine, appendix, large intestine, and rectum. The abdominal muscles facilitate breathing, help to breathe through accessory muscles. The transverse abdominis muscle is the deepest and cannot be felt from the outside, and this muscle helps maintain posture. The main function of the abdominal muscles is to bend the spine forward when contracting coentrically.

The stomach is one of the organs present within the abdomen. The stomach is a hollow tube like a muscular organ that is an important part of our digestive system. The stomach is present between the esophagus and the small intestine. The stomach aids digestion by secreting digestive enzymes and gastric acid. The stomach is present just below the diaphragm on the left side. In anatomy, the stomach is divided into four sections: the cardia, body, fundus, and pylorus. The stomach is connected to the lower part of the esophagus through the gastroesophageal sphincter which is responsible for keeping the contents of food within the stomach. The terminal end of the stomach is connected to the duodenum through the pyloric sphincter. Food after digestion in the stomach is propelled into the small intestine through this sphincter. The stomach can hold up to 1 liter of food because it is a compliant organ. Most of the absorption occurs in the small intestine, but the stomach also plays a role in the absorption of certain small molecules such as; water, amino acids, water soluble vitamins, caffeine, ethanol and aspirin. The stomach contains parietal cells that are responsible for the production of intrinsic factor that helps in the absorption of vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is important for the production of red blood cells and for maintaining the function of the nervous system. but the stomach also plays a role in the absorption of certain small molecules like; water, amino acids, water soluble vitamins, caffeine, ethanol and aspirin. The stomach contains parietal cells that are responsible for the production of intrinsic factor that helps in the absorption of vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is important for the production of red blood cells and for maintaining the function of the nervous system. but the stomach also plays a role in the absorption of certain small molecules like; water, amino acids, water soluble vitamins, caffeine, ethanol and aspirin. The stomach contains parietal cells that are responsible for the production of intrinsic factor that helps in the absorption of vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is important for the production of red blood cells and for maintaining the function of the nervous system.

Key differences

1. The abdomen is the region between the chest and the pelvic cavity, while the stomach is an organ between the lower esophagus and the duodenum.
2. The abdomen is the part of the body that contains the digestive tract, liver, gallbladder, spleen, kidney, pancreas, and urinary system, while the stomach is part of the digestive system that is present within the abdomen.
3. The abdomen is separated from the chest by a strong muscle called the diaphragm, while the stomach is present just below the diaphragm on the left side.
4. The abdomen also helps with breathing and maintaining posture, while the stomach helps with digestion and absorption of food.
5. In the abdomen, the digestion and absorption of food occurs in the digestive tract, while the stomach produces digestive enzymes and gastric acid that aids in digestion.