GULLET Meaning and
Definition
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A gullet is a noun referring to the passage or canal that connects the mouth and throat with the stomach in vertebrate animals, including humans. It is a muscular tube that starts at the back of the mouth and extends downward, serving as a conduit for food and liquids to pass from the oral cavity to the digestive system.
The gullet, also known as the esophagus, plays a vital role in the process of swallowing. When food is chewed and mixed with saliva in the mouth, it forms a moistened mass called a bolus. Upon swallowing, the muscles in the gullet contract and propel the bolus down into the stomach through a rhythmic wave-like motion called peristalsis. This peristaltic movement ensures that the food or drink is moved safely from the mouth to the stomach, avoiding inhalation into the respiratory tract.
The gullet is lined with a moist mucous membrane that provides lubrication for the passage of food and protects the walls of the esophagus from damage caused by acidic stomach contents. Occasionally, the muscular sphincter at the bottom of the gullet may malfunction, resulting in acid reflux, a condition where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation known as heartburn.
In summary, the gullet is a muscular tube connecting the mouth to the stomach responsible for transmitting food and liquids during the process of swallowing.
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Pharynx and esophagus, the swallow.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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The passage in the neck of an animal down which food and drink pass into the stomach; the oesophagus.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for GULLET
Etymology of GULLET
The word "gullet" has its origins in Middle English. It is derived from the Old French word "gole" or "goule", which meant "throat" or "neck". This Old French term can be traced back to the Latin word "gula", which also referred to the "throat" or "gullet". Ultimately, the Latin term "gula" may have its roots in the Proto-Indo-European root "*gʷelH-", meaning "to swallow".
Idioms with the word GULLET
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stick in gullet
The idiom "stick in the gullet" refers to a situation or statement that is difficult to accept or swallow. It implies that something is causing deep annoyance, anger, or offense, often creating a lasting and uncomfortable feeling.
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stick in (one's) gullet
The idiom "stick in (one's) gullet" means that something is difficult to accept or swallow, often referring to a statement, criticism, or event that is hard to deal with or causes persistent discomfort or resentment in a person. It conveys a sense of being emotionally or mentally affected by something unpleasant or disagreeable.
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stick in your gullet/throat
The idiom "stick in your gullet/throat" refers to something that is difficult, uncomfortable, or objectionable to accept or swallow. It can be used to describe a situation, idea, or comment that is hard to deal with or digest emotionally or mentally.
Similar spelling words for GULLET
- guilty,
- gilt,
- guillot,
- gullette,
- gullett,
- guilt,
- guild,
- Gillett,
- glued,
- gulotta,
- bullet,
- Gullatt,
- Gullatte,
- gull,
- guillet,
- gully,
- guillotte,
- gelled.
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