Abdominal embryology

Development of the stomach

The stomach develops from the foregut and has a dorsal and ventral mesogastrium. The dorsal mesogastrium gives rise to the greater omentum.
Due to more rapid growth of its dorsal portion, the stomach expands, leading to a greater and lesser curvature. It also undergoes two rotations: • 90 degrees about its long axis (see animation) • Anti-clockwise around a dorso-ventral axis This results in the greater curvature of the stomach lying to the left of the midline.
The spleen, derived from mesoderm develops in the dorsal mesogastrium and consequently moves to the left side of the abdomen. It remains attached to the stomach by part of the greater omentum.