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    From Digestive System

    Haustra
    Pouch-like segments of colon.
    Common Hepatic Duct
    Carries bile from liver to bile duct.
    Liver
    Largest gland in the body with roles in metabolism and bile production.
    Main Pancreatic Duct
    Primary duct draining pancreatic juices.
    Body
    Main central region of the stomach.
    Ileocecal Valve
    Controls flow from ileum to cecum.
    Common Bile Duct
    Conveys bile from liver and gallbladder to duodenum.
    Quadrate Lobe
    Small lobe located between gallbladder and round ligament.
    Tail of Pancreas
    Tapered end of pancreas near spleen.
    Sigmoid Colon
    S-shaped final segment of the colon.
    Cheeks
    Lateral walls of the oral cavity composed of muscle and fat.
    Palatine Tonsils
    Lymphatic tissues on either side of the oropharynx.
    Nasopharynx
    Superior region of pharynx behind the nasal cavity.
    Gingiva
    Gums; soft tissue covering the bones of the jaw.
    Uvula
    Dangling soft tissue at the back of the soft palate.
    Vermiform Appendix
    Worm-like appendage of the cecum.
    Peritoneum
    Serous membrane lining the abdominal cavity.
    Jejunum
    Second portion of the small intestine.
    Accessory Pancreatic Duct
    Secondary duct emptying into duodenum.
    Rectum
    Straight section of the colon leading to anus.
    Round Ligament of Liver
    Remnant of fetal umbilical vein.
    Hepatic Flexure
    Bend between ascending and transverse colon.
    Minor Duodenal Papilla
    Opening for accessory pancreatic duct.
    Ascending Colon
    Vertical segment of the colon on the right side.
    Sublingual Glands
    Salivary glands beneath the tongue.

    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 stomach can expand to hold up to 4 liters of food or liquid.