Rugae, pronounced as /ruːˈɡiː/, is a plural form of the word "ruga." It refers to a ridge or crease, usually present in the lining of an organ such as the stomach or vagina. The spelling of this word may appear confusing due to the use of the letter "u" and the silent "e" at the end. However, the IPA phonetic transcription can clarify the correct pronunciation. The two syllables in "ru-gae" are elongated with a long "u" sound and a guttural "g" sound, ending in a long "e" sound.
Rugae, also known as gastric rugae or gastric folds, are prominent longitudinal ridges or folds found in the internal lining of certain organs in the human body, primarily in the stomach and urinary bladder. This anatomical feature serves to increase the surface area of these organs, allowing for greater expansion and contraction of the tissue, as well as facilitating their specific functions.
In the stomach, rugae are present in the mucosal lining and play a crucial role in the process of digestion. The primary function of gastric rugae is to accommodate the expansion of the stomach when food is ingested, enabling its distension and storage capacity. The folds also aid in the mechanical breakdown of food by contracting and creating churning movements to mix gastric secretions with the ingested material.
In the urinary bladder, rugae are found in the mucosa lining and serve a similar purpose. They allow the bladder to expand as it fills with urine, increasing its capacity to store the waste fluid until it is ready to be eliminated from the body during urination.
Overall, the presence of rugae in the stomach and urinary bladder is a specialized adaptation that optimizes the functionality of these organs by maximizing their surface area and enabling efficient expansion and contraction.
In anat., the folds into which the mucous membrane of some organs is thrown by the contraction of the external coasts.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "rugae" comes from Latin. It is the plural of the Latin word "ruga", which means "wrinkle" or "crease". The term "rugae" is commonly used in biology and anatomy to refer to the ridges, folds, or wrinkles found on certain tissues, most notably the surface of organs like the stomach, bladder, or vagina.