Cardia - Digestive system - Stomach - e-Anatomy
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Cardia

Cardia

  • Latin synonym: Pars cardialis gastris; Pars cardiaca gastris
  • Synonym: Cardiac part; Cardial part

Definition

Muhammad A. Javaid

The cardia is the small region of the stomach surrounding the entry of the oesophagus, i.e. the cardiac orifice. It lies immediately below the diaphragm at the gastro-esophageal junction (T11 level). Its mucosa contains cardiac glands, which secrete mucus to protect the lower oesophagus from gastric acid.

Cardiac orifice

Please don't confuse it with the cardiac orifice, which the opening through which the oesophagus enters the stomach. It is located at the gastro-esophageal junction.

Clinical correlates

  • GERD: incompetence of the lower oesophageal sphincter causing acid reflux.

  • Hiatus hernia: herniation of the cardia through the oesophageal hiatus.

  • Barrett's oesophagus: metaplasia due to chronic reflux.

  • Oesophageal varices: portosystemic anastomoses at the gastro-esophageal junction.

Is this definition incorrect or incomplete?

References

  • Standring, S. (2015) Grays Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 41st edn. London: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier. Chapter 64, Abdominal oesophagus and stomach.

  • Chaudhry SR, Liman MNP, Omole AE, et al. Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis: Stomach. [Updated 2024 Jul 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 Jan. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482334/

  • Goosenberg E, Vadakekut ES. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) [Updated 2025 Jul 6]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 Jan. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554462/

  • Puri R, Sharma S. Hiatal Hernia. [Updated 2026 Jan 31]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 Jan. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562200/

  • Khieu M, Goosenberg E. Barrett Esophagus. [Updated 2025 May 26]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 Jan. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430979/

  • Meseeha M, Tian C, Attia M. Esophageal Varices. [Updated 2026 Mar 9]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 Jan. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448078/

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