Fill in the Blank QuestionFill in the blank question.The muscularis of the stomach becomes increasingly thicker as it progresses from the to the .

The muscularis of the stomach becomes increasingly thicker as it progresses from the cardia to the pylorus.

Explanation

The stomach is divided into four main regions: the cardia, fundus, body, and pylorus. Each of these regions has distinct histological and physiological features, particularly regarding the muscularis layer. The cardia is the region where food enters from the esophagus and has relatively thin muscularis. As we move towards the pylorus—where the stomach connects to the small intestine (the duodenum)—the muscularis layer becomes significantly thicker. This increase in muscle thickness is crucial for the effective churning and mixing of food with gastric juices, as well as the regulation of gastric emptying through the pyloric sphincter. This adaptation is vital for the digestive processes that occur in the stomach.