Stomach

In anatomy, the stomach is an organ in the alimentary canal used to store and digest food. Generally, the stomach's primary function is not the adsorption of nutrients from digested food; this task is usually performed by the intestine.

In humans, the stomach is a highly acidic environment (maintained by the secretion of hydrochloric acid) with peptidase digestive enzymes.

In ruminants, the stomach is a large multichambered organ that hosts symbiotic bacteria which produce enzymes required for the digestion of cellulose from plant matter. The partially digested plant matter passes through each of the stomach's chambers in sequence, being regurgitated and rechewed at least once in the process.

See also: cardia, stomach cancer