Anatomy and radiology of the areae gastricae.

The anatomy and radiology of the areae gastricae were studied in human and pig specimens and it was shown that the double contrast barium meal demonstrates a true picture of the undulating gastric mucosa, which is distinctive in appearance in the antrum body and fundus of the pig stomach. The importance of the type of barium used and the thickness of barrier mucus in the demonstration of the areae pattern is emphasised and the high incidence of duodenal ulcer in the grade 4 pattern and the low incidence in the non-coater is described. A knowledge of the anatomy and radiology of the areae gastricae pattern is central to the interpretation of the double contrast barium meal.