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Why the Stomach does not Digest itself

The organ secretes a strong acid that can dissolve metals and kill living cells. How it avoids digesting itself and what happens when the safety mechanisms fail are explained

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Scientific American Magazine Vol 226 Issue 1This article was originally published with the title “Why the Stomach does not Digest itself” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 226 No. 1 (), p. 86
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican0172-86