Cholic acid is a type of bile acid found in the liver and used to digest fats in the small intestine. Its pronunciation is /ˈkɒlɪk ˈæsɪd/, with the first syllable rhyming with "doll" and the second syllable pronounced like "ick." The "ch" sound is represented by the IPA symbol /k/ and the "o" is pronounced as /ɒ/. The consonants "l" and "c" are pronounced separately, with the "l" sound coming first. The final syllable is pronounced like the word "acid" with the emphasis on the first syllable.
Cholic acid is a naturally occurring bile acid that is synthesized in the liver and secreted into the gallbladder. It plays a crucial role in the digestion and absorption of dietary fats in the small intestine. As a bile acid, cholic acid aids in the emulsification and solubilization of lipids, enhancing their breakdown by enzymes and facilitating their absorption by the intestinal cells.
Cholic acid is a steroid with a molecular formula C24H40O5. It belongs to a family of bile acids known as primary bile acids, along with chenodeoxycholic acid. These primary bile acids are synthesized from cholesterol in the liver and are further transformed into secondary bile acids in the intestines by bacterial enzymes. Cholic acid is one of the primary bile acids that are reabsorbed by the intestinal cells and transported back to the liver through the enterohepatic circulation.
Apart from its role in fat digestion, cholic acid also acts as a signaling molecule that interacts with specific receptors in the liver and intestines, regulating various metabolic processes and gene expression. It is also involved in the formation of mixed micelles, which are essential for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and other lipophilic substances.
Cholic acid has medicinal applications and is sometimes prescribed for the treatment of certain gallstone conditions. Additionally, it serves as a precursor for the synthesis of various pharmaceutical drugs, such as ursodeoxycholic acid, which is used to dissolve gallstones.
Cholalic acid.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "cholic acid" has its etymology rooted in ancient Greek and Latin.
The term "cholic" is derived from the Greek word "kholē", meaning "bile". Bile is an essential digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. The Greek word "kholē" eventually made its way into Latin as "chole" or "chola", referring to bile.
The word "acid" comes from the Latin term "acidus", meaning "sour" or "sharp". This Latin word was used to describe substances with a sour taste. "Acidus" later evolved into the English word "acid".
Therefore, the term "cholic acid" combines the Greek word "kholē" (bile) and the Latin word "acidus" (sour) to refer to a specific type of acid found in bile.