What keeps our internal organs from moving around inside of us? What keeps stomach acid from burning our other organs?

The mesentery, which is made up of the peritoneum folded twice over to cover all of the organs, keeps the organs from becoming tangled and causing problems; otherwise, the intestine would have folded over the liver and other organs would have been flinging all over the place. Blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatics branch through the mesentery.

This constant supply of bicarbonate is the primary defense mechanism of our stomach against autodigestion (the stomach digesting itself) caused by the potent HCL secreted. Bicarbonate is an alkaline substance that neutralizes the acid secreted by the parietal cells, producing water in the process.

You can thank the mucous membranes in your stomach for your protection. The mucous produced by the epithelial cells also forms a physical barrier between the walls of the stomach and the acid it produces. These specialized cells produce a solution of mucous and bicarbonate that coats the inside of the stomach.

Connective tissues and membranes anchor internal organs in place. The peritoneum surrounds and stabilizes abdominal organs. Muscles provide additional support. The lower esophageal sphincter prevents stomach acid reflux.