Objective To provide a current language for clinical and pathological discription of gastric cancer. Methods The literature in recent years on the distribution of lymph nodes and staging of gastric cancer were reviewed. Results The lymph nodes of gastric cancer are distributed near the blood vessel and organs of gastric milieu. To ensure radical gastrectomy rational and scientific, the anatomic structure of gastric milieu should be familiarized. Conclusion The excellent outcome of surgery will be achieved by the effective dissection and removel of lymph nodes in gastric cancer.