antral

Antral is an adjective used in anatomy and medicine to describe something relating to an antrum, a cavity or chamber within a hollow organ. The term derives from Latin antrum, meaning cave or dark chamber, and is applied wherever a particular region or structure sits in relation to a defined cavity.

In the stomach, the gastric antrum is the lower portion of the organ, extending from the body to the pylorus. The antrum is involved in grinding ingested material and in regulating digestion. Its mucosa contains enteroendocrine G cells that secrete gastrin, a hormone that stimulates acid secretion by parietal cells and promotes gastric motility. The antrum also contributes to the secretion of mucus and bicarbonate as part of protective and digestive processes. Inflammation of this region is described clinically as antral gastritis.

In the ovary, an antral follicle is a developing ovarian follicle that has formed a fluid-filled cavity, or antrum, within its structure. This stage follows the growth of preantral follicles and precedes ovulation. Antral follicles can be visualized by ultrasound, and their number and size are used in fertility assessment and assisted reproductive planning.

The term antral is also encountered in other medical contexts and historical anatomical descriptions. For example, the maxillary sinus is historically referred to as the antrum of Highmore, and radiologic or dental discussions may describe lesions or structures in antral regions. Overall, antral denotes a relation to a cavity or chamber within a biological organ, most commonly the stomach or ovary.