Question

Gastric folds, which are observed only when the stomach is empty, allow the stomach to __________ greatly when it fills & then returns to its normal J-shape when it empties.

a. expand
b. move
c. constrict

Answer 1

The gastric folds in the stomach allow it to expand greatly when it fills and then return to its normal J-shape when it empties. These movements assist in digestion.

Step-by-step explanation:

The gastric folds in the stomach allow it to expand greatly when it fills and then return to its normal J-shape when it empties. The empty stomach is about the size of a fist but can stretch to hold as much as 4 liters of food and fluid. These contractions and expansions of the stomach provide mechanical assistance to digestion.