A human stomach's size is surprisingly variable. When empty, it's roughly the size of a person's fist, approximately 12 inches long and 6 inches across at its widest point. However, this highly elastic organ can expand significantly to accommodate food and fluids.
Stomach Capacity and Expansion
- Empty Stomach: About the size of a fist.
- Full Stomach: Can hold up to 4 liters (approximately 1 gallon) of food and fluid. This represents an expansion of more than 75 times its empty volume.
- Comfortable Fullness: Sources suggest a more comfortable maximum capacity of 1 to 1.5 liters (33 to 50 ounces).
It's important to note that the stomach's ability to expand allows it to handle varying food intake amounts. After digestion, it returns to its resting size. Different individuals might also have slightly different stomach sizes.
Several sources mention the stomach's size in relation to familiar objects:
- "About the size of your fist" (Multiple sources)
- "About the size of a person's palm" (SCMP article)
The provided references illustrate the significant variability in stomach size depending on its fullness, highlighting its remarkable elasticity. The key takeaway is that while a fist-sized empty stomach is a common descriptor, its capacity for expansion is substantial.
