What is the function of the stomach's rugae?

The rugae are folds in the stomach lining that play a crucial role in the stomach's ability to accommodate varying volumes of food. When food enters the stomach, these folds allow the stomach to expand and stretch without tearing, which is essential for it to function effectively during the digestive process. This accommodation is necessary because the stomach needs to hold a significant amount of food and liquid, and the rugae's flexible structure facilitates this process.

While the stomach indeed has the ability to absorb some substances and produces hormones and digestive enzymes, these are not the primary functions associated with the rugae. The primary role of the rugae is specifically focused on the expansion capacity of the stomach rather than nutrient absorption or enzyme production. Therefore, their main function aligns with allowing the stomach to expand, providing the space needed for digestion to occur.