GASTROILEAC REFLEX Meaning and
Definition
-
The gastroileac reflex is a physiological mechanism that regulates the movement and emptying of the stomach and the subsequent filling and movement of food through the small intestine. It involves the communication and coordination between the stomach and the ileum, the final section of the small intestine.
When food enters the stomach, the stretching of its walls triggers the activation of the gastroileac reflex. As a result, a series of events occur to facilitate the continued digestion and absorption of nutrients. The reflex signal is transmitted through the vagus nerve, which sends signals from the stomach to the ileum.
Upon activation of the gastroileac reflex, the ileocecal valve that separates the ileum from the large intestine relaxes, allowing chyme (partially digested food) to pass from the stomach into the small intestine. This mechanism ensures that the small intestine has sufficient time to absorb nutrients from the chyme before it progresses to the large intestine.
The gastroileac reflex also stimulates peristalsis - the rhythmic contractions of the smooth muscles in the intestinal walls that propel the chyme through the small intestine. This aids in the breakdown of food and the absorption of nutrients. The reflex is regulated by hormones such as gastrin and neurotensin, which are released in response to the presence of food in the stomach.
In summary, the gastroileac reflex is a reflexive response that helps regulate the movement and emptying of the stomach, allowing for effective digestion and absorption of nutrients in the small intestine.
-
Relaxation of the ileocecal valve occurring in response to the stimulus excited by the presence of food in the stomach.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for GASTROILEAC REFLEX
- gastroileac refley
- g astroileac reflex
- ga stroileac reflex
- gas troileac reflex
- gast roileac reflex
- gastr oileac reflex
- gastro ileac reflex
- gastroi leac reflex
- gastroil eac reflex
- gastroile ac reflex
- gastroilea c reflex
- gastroileac r eflex
- gastroileac re flex
- gastroileac ref lex
- gastroileac refl ex
- gastroileac refle x
Etymology of GASTROILEAC REFLEX
The term "gastroileac reflex" is a combination of two words: "gastro" and "ileac".
1. Gastro: It originates from the Greek word "gastēr" (γαστήρ), meaning "stomach" or "belly". It is commonly used in medical terminology to refer to the stomach or the digestive system in general.
2. Ileac: It is derived from the Latin word "ileum", which refers to the lowest part of the small intestine. The term "ileac" is used in medical terminology to indicate something related to the ileum.
Reflex: The word "reflex" is derived from Latin "reflexus", meaning "to bend back". In medical language, it refers to an automatic response of the body to a stimulus.
