Gastric juice, the digestive fluid found in the stomach, is spelled /ˈɡæstrɪk dʒuːs/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "gas" is pronounced with a short "a" sound /æ/, followed by "tric" with a soft "c" /s/ sound. The stress is on the first syllable, "gastric". The second part "juice" is pronounced with a "j" /dʒ/ sound followed by a long "u" sound /uː/ and a soft "s" /s/ sound. Correct spelling of this term is crucial in medical communication and research.
Gastric juice is a digestive fluid produced by the stomach. It is a clear and viscous liquid that plays a crucial role in the breakdown and digestion of food in the stomach. Composed of several components, gastric juice primarily consists of hydrochloric acid, digestive enzymes, mucus, and intrinsic factor.
The main function of gastric juice is to aid in the digestion of proteins. The hydrochloric acid present in gastric juice helps to lower the pH level in the stomach, creating an acidic environment necessary for the activation and function of the digestive enzymes. These enzymes, such as pepsin, work to break down proteins into smaller peptides and amino acids, facilitating their absorption in the intestine.
Gastric juice also contains mucus, which acts as a protective barrier for the stomach lining. It prevents the acid and enzymes from damaging the stomach wall. Additionally, the intrinsic factor, a glycoprotein found in gastric juice, is essential for the absorption of vitamin B12 in the small intestine.
Overall, gastric juice is vital for the digestion process as it helps to breakdown food particles, particularly proteins, into smaller molecules that can be readily absorbed and utilized by the body.
The digestive fluid secreted by the glands of the stomach; it is a thin, colorless liquid of acid reaction, containing chlorides, phosphates, hydrochloric acid, rennet, and a proteolytic enzyme, pepsin.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The fluid in the stomach which acts as the principal agent in digestion.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "gastric" comes from the Latin word "gaster" or "gastricus", which means stomach. It can be traced back to the Greek word "gastēr", meaning belly or stomach. The term "juice" comes from the Latin word "jus", which means broth or juice. Therefore, the etymology of "gastric juice" refers to the digestive fluid secreted by the stomach.