Bolus (digestion)
Bolus (digestion)
Bolus (pronunciation: /ˈboʊləs/) is a term used in digestive physiology to describe the mass of chewed food at the moment of swallowing.
Etymology
The term "bolus" originates from the Latin word bolus, which means "a small ball". In medical terminology, it is used to describe a large pill or dose of a substance.
Definition
In the context of digestion, a bolus is formed in the oral cavity during the process of mastication, where food is broken down by the teeth and mixed with saliva. The saliva helps to lubricate the food and begin the process of digestion. The bolus is then swallowed and travels down the esophagus into the stomach where further digestion occurs.
Related Terms
- Mastication: The process of chewing food in preparation for swallowing and digestion.
- Digestion: The process by which food is broken down in the body to be used for energy.
- Esophagus: The tube that connects the throat to the stomach, allowing for the passage of the bolus.
- Stomach: The organ where the bolus is broken down further through the process of digestion.
See Also
- Peristalsis: The process of wave-like muscle contractions that moves food to different processing stations in the digestive tract.
- Chyme: The pulpy acidic fluid that passes from the stomach to the small intestine, consisting of gastric juices and partly digested food.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Bolus (digestion)
- Wikipedia's article - Bolus (digestion)
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