Gastric depression is a depression on the lower (visceral) surface of the left lobe of the liver, formed due to the adherence of the stomach. The stomach adjacent to the liver leaves an imprint on it in the form of a gastric indentation. This is an anatomical feature of the structure of the liver, associated with its topography and relationship with other abdominal organs. The gastric depression has a characteristic shape and boundaries corresponding to the shape and size of the adjacent part of the stomach.
The gastric indentation, also known as impressio gastrica or PNA (posterior inferior arterial branch), JNA (posterior superior arterial branch) or BNA (inferior anterior arterial branch), is a depression on the inferior (visceral) surface of the left lobe of the liver, which is formed due to the adherence stomach.
Anatomically, the gastric depression is located on the lower surface of the liver and occurs as a result of contact of the stomach with the liver. The gastric indentation is shaped like a depression that closely follows the contours of the stomach adjacent to the liver.
Gastric indentation is one of the anatomical features that help visualize and identify the liver during medical examinations. When doctors palpate or use imaging techniques such as ultrasound or CT scans, gastric pressure helps determine the boundaries of the liver and guide its position.
This anatomical formation has important clinical significance in the diagnosis of various diseases. For example, if there is a tumor in the stomach or liver, the gastric depression may be changed or displaced. Examination of the gastric indentation can help doctors determine the nature and location of the tumor, as well as evaluate its interaction with neighboring organs.
In case of diseases related to the liver or stomach, the gastric depression may be subject to various changes. For example, with inflammatory processes in the liver or stomach, such as gastritis or hepatitis, the gastric indentation may become widened or thickened. These changes may be visible by visual inspection or on special images.
In conclusion, gastric impression (impressio gastrica) is a depression on the lower surface of the left lobe of the liver caused by contact with the stomach. It is important in the imaging and diagnosis of the liver and stomach, as well as in the evaluation of various diseases. Studying gastric depressions allows doctors to obtain information about the structure and function of these organs, which helps in determining the correct diagnosis and prescribing appropriate treatment.