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    Related Topics

    From Digestive System

    External Anal Sphincter
    Voluntary muscle around anus.
    Left Lobe
    Smaller lobe of the liver.
    Oropharynx
    Middle region of the pharynx behind the oral cavity.
    Palatine Tonsils
    Lymphatic tissues on either side of the oropharynx.
    Jejunum
    Second portion of the small intestine.
    Abdominal Cavity
    The abdominal cavity is the largest body cavity, housing vital digestive and excretory organs, lined by the peritoneum and essential for protection, metabolism, and organ movement.
    Major Duodenal Papilla
    Opening for bile and pancreatic ducts into duodenum.
    Abdomen
    The abdomen is the body region between the chest and pelvis housing vital digestive, metabolic, and excretory organs, protected by muscular and peritoneal layers.
    Anus
    Opening through which feces are expelled.
    Duodenum
    First portion of the small intestine.
    Ileum
    Final and longest portion of the small intestine.
    Body
    Main central region of the stomach.
    Epiploic Appendages
    Fat-filled pouches attached to colon.
    Lips
    Fleshy borders of the mouth that aid in speech and food intake.
    Cecum
    First part of large intestine.
    Duodenal Bulb
    Initial section of duodenum closest to the stomach.
    Cheeks
    Lateral walls of the oral cavity composed of muscle and fat.
    Nasopharynx
    Superior region of pharynx behind the nasal cavity.
    Haustra
    Pouch-like segments of colon.
    Hepatic Flexure
    Bend between ascending and transverse colon.
    Cystic Duct
    Connects gallbladder to common bile duct.
    Transverse Colon
    Horizontal part of the colon.
    Gallbladder
    Stores and concentrates bile.
    Sublingual Glands
    Salivary glands beneath the tongue.
    Lesser Omentum
    Connects stomach and liver.

    Rugae of Stomach

    Reviewed by our medical team

    Internal folds allowing expansion of the stomach.

    Overview

    The rugae of the stomach are prominent, longitudinal folds or ridges of the gastric mucosa and submucosa that are visible when the stomach is empty or contracted. They allow the stomach to expand after food enters and play a key role in accommodating and mixing ingested material. Rugae are a characteristic anatomical feature that contributes to the stomach’s mechanical and absorptive functions.

    Location

    Rugae are found on the inner lining of the stomach. They are most prominent in the:

    • Body and fundus of the stomach

    • Greater curvature, where they are larger and more conspicuous

    • Lesser curvature, where smaller longitudinal folds form the gastric canal (Magenstraße)

    When the stomach is distended with food or fluid, the rugae flatten and become less noticeable.

    Structure

    Each ruga consists of:

    • Mucosa: Composed of simple columnar epithelium with gastric pits and glands

    • Submucosa: Rich in blood vessels, lymphatics, and loose connective tissue

    • Underlying muscularis mucosae: A thin muscle layer that contributes to mucosal folding

    Rugae are not permanent structures like intestinal villi; they are temporary folds that change with gastric volume and tone.

    Function

    The primary functions of gastric rugae include:

    • Expansion: Allow the stomach to expand significantly after ingestion without increasing internal pressure

    • Mixing: Enhance the surface area and structural complexity of the stomach, aiding in mechanical mixing of chyme

    • Direction of flow: Help guide ingested food toward the pyloric region and duodenum

    Physiological Role(s)

    Rugae support various physiological aspects of digestion:

    • Volume accommodation: Help the stomach hold up to 1–1.5 liters of content without discomfort

    • Gastric motility: Work with the muscular wall to contract and churn food efficiently

    • Secretion exposure: Increase mucosal surface area, enhancing contact with digestive secretions such as hydrochloric acid and pepsinogen

    • Protection: The mucosa covering the rugae secretes mucus to protect against acid injury

    Clinical Significance

    The rugae are involved or observed in several medical and diagnostic contexts:

    • Gastritis: Inflammation may cause edema and thickening of the rugae, visible on endoscopy

    • Menetrier’s disease: A rare condition involving hypertrophy of the gastric rugae, leading to protein loss and risk of cancer

    • Gastric carcinoma: Irregular, ulcerated, or lost rugae may indicate malignancy during imaging or endoscopy

    • Peptic ulcers: May distort or flatten rugae near the ulcer site

    • Imaging studies: Barium swallow or endoscopy can visualize rugal pattern changes for diagnostic purposes

    Rugal patterns can help distinguish between benign and malignant gastric conditions and provide insight into stomach health during radiologic or endoscopic assessments.

    Did you know? The large intestine, also known as the colon, is responsible for absorbing water and salts from the remaining indigestible food matter.