Foregut

Foregut
Diagram showing the expansion of amnion and delimitation of the umbilicus.
Termination of the foregut.
Details
Carnegie stage9
PrecursorEndoderm
Identifiers
Latinpraeenteron, proenteron
TEE5.4.4.0.0.0.2
FMA45616
Anatomical terminology

The foregut in humans is the anterior part of the alimentary canal, from the distal esophagus to the first half of the duodenum, at the entrance of the bile duct. Beyond the stomach, the foregut is attached to the abdominal walls by mesentery. The foregut arises from the endoderm, developing from the folding primitive gut, and is developmentally distinct from the midgut and hindgut. Although the term “foregut” is typically used in reference to the anterior section of the primitive gut, components of the adult gut can also be described with this designation. Pain in the epigastric region, just below the intersection of the ribs, typically refers to structures in the adult foregut.