Keep the contents of stomach contained?

The stomach keeps its contents contained through various mechanisms:

1. Cardiac Sphincter: Located at the junction of the esophagus and the stomach, the cardiac sphincter acts as a valve that regulates the flow of food into the stomach. It remains closed to prevent the backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus.

2. Gastric Peristalsis: The stomach muscles undergo rhythmic contractions known as peristalsis. These waves of contractions move the food down towards the small intestine and help mix it with gastric juices. Peristalsis also contributes to the segregation and compaction of food within the stomach.

3. Rugae: The inner lining of the stomach has numerous folds called rugae. These folds provide a larger surface area for food to come into contact with digestive enzymes and increase the efficiency of food breakdown. When the stomach is empty, these folds help to reduce its volume.

4. Pyloric Sphincter: The pyloric sphincter, located at the exit of the stomach into the small intestine, controls the release of food from the stomach. It remains closed until the food is partially digested and acidic enough for further processing in the small intestine.

These mechanisms collectively ensure that the contents of the stomach are contained and processed in a controlled manner before being released into the small intestine.