Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Rugae
Introduction
Overview
Rugae is a term used in anatomy that refers to a series of ridges produced by folding of the wall of an organ. Most commonly the term is applied to the internal surface of the stomach. The stomach rugae may be seen during esophagogastroduodenoscopy or in radiological studies. They provide the stomach with a higher amount of surface area for food. When food enters the stomach, these rugae unfold and become stretched out. The purpose is to allow it to expand.This therefore allows expansion in volume of the stomach without increased pressure.
Other locations that rugae appear in humans:
- Wrinkles of the scrotum
- Hard palate immediately behind the upper anterior teeth
- Urinary bladder
- Vagina