ALIMENTARY TRACT Meaning and
Definition
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The alimentary tract, also commonly referred to as the digestive tract or gastrointestinal tract, is a vital part of the human body responsible for the breakdown and absorption of food and nutrients. It is a long, hollow tube that spans from the mouth to the anus, encompassing several key organs and structures along the way.
Starting from the mouth, the alimentary tract includes the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (or colon), rectum, and anus. Each section of the tract serves a specific function in the digestion and processing of food.
In the mouth, food is chewed and mixed with saliva, initiating the process of mechanical and chemical digestion. From there, it moves through the esophagus, a muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach, and into the stomach itself. In the stomach, food is further broken down by stomach acids and enzymes.
Next, the partially digested food enters the small intestine, where the majority of nutrient absorption takes place. The small intestine is lined with specialized structures called villi, which increase the surface area available for nutrient absorption into the bloodstream. From the small intestine, any remaining undigested food material enters the large intestine, where water and electrolyte absorption occur. Finally, waste materials are compacted into solid form in the rectum and eliminated through the anus.
The alimentary tract plays a crucial role in maintaining proper nutrition, as it allows our bodies to extract essential nutrients and energy from the food we consume. Understanding the structure and function of this tract is vital for maintaining a healthy digestive system and overall well-being.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ALIMENTARY TRACT
- zlimentary tract
- slimentary tract
- wlimentary tract
- qlimentary tract
- akimentary tract
- apimentary tract
- aoimentary tract
- alumentary tract
- aljmentary tract
- alkmentary tract
- alomentary tract
- al9mentary tract
- al8mentary tract
- alinentary tract
- alikentary tract
- alijentary tract
- alimwntary tract
- alimsntary tract
- alimdntary tract
Etymology of ALIMENTARY TRACT
The word "alimentary" comes from the Latin word "alimentum" which means "nourishment" or "food". It can be traced back to the Latin verb "alere" meaning "to nourish" or "to feed".
The term "alimentary tract" refers to the entire pathway through which food passes in the body, including the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, and anus. The term "tract" is derived from the Latin word "tractus", which means "a drawing" or "dragging". The combination of "alimentary" and "tract" thus reflects the idea of the pathway or channel in the body that is involved in feeding and nourishment.
Similar spelling words for ALIMENTARY TRACT
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