Pylorus

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Pylorus
Gray1046.svg
Outline of stomach, showing its anatomical landmarks.
Gray1050.png
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 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.

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[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."

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[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. 

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