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Stomach

The stomach and its location in the body.

Your stomach is where the food you eat is broken down into smaller pieces. This action is called digestion.

Stomach (gastric) juice is the term used to describe the substances that break down food in the stomach. These include hydrochloric acid and an enzyme called pepsin. Gastric juice is sometimes referred to as stomach acid, although not all of the substances in gastric juice are acidic.

Current as of: March 20, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

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