Gastric Diverticulum, Gross Anatomy

Description

Proximal stomach anatomy is presented with the distal esophagus descending to the gastroesophageal junction and cardia, then curving into the fundus beneath the left hemidiaphragm. A focal saccular outpouching along the gastric wall represents a gastric diverticulum, shown as a blind-ending pouch continuous with the gastric lumen and mucosal rugae. Superior displacement of the gastric cardia and fundus through the esophageal hiatus suggests an associated hiatal hernia, with the diaphragmatic margin forming a constricting ring at the level of herniation. Layering cues differentiate mucosa from the thicker muscularis externa, helping orient the diverticular neck relative to adjacent folds. This combination matters in practice because posterior fundal gastric diverticula can be overlooked on endoscopy, then rediscovered on barium swallow or CT as a contrast-filled sac near the left crus, sometimes mimicking an epiphrenic esophageal diverticulum or a paraesophageal hernia sac. Symptoms often overlap with hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease, but a true gastric diverticulum may cause retained food, halitosis, or bleeding from mucosal ulceration within the pouch. Surgeons planning laparoscopic repair benefit from a clear depiction of the diverticular neck and the diaphragmatic hiatus, since stapled diverticulectomy, cruroplasty, and fundoplication can intersect in the same operative field. Orientation is everything. Use this illustration for upper GI anatomy teaching in medical and physician associate curricula, for GI pathology chapters discussing diverticula and hiatal hernia, or for patient-facing surgical consent materials explaining combined hernia repair with diverticulectomy. It also fits radiology and endoscopy references that correlate gross anatomy with barium studies and retroflexed gastric views. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.