Pronunciation: [ɪnd͡ʒˈɛst͡ʃən] (IPA) 
The word "ingestion" is spelled with a letter "g" in the middle, although it may be pronounced as if it were spelled with a "j". This is because the "g" is followed by an "e" or an "i", which triggers a soft /dʒ/ sound, as opposed to a hard /g/ sound. The IPA phonetic transcription of "ingestion" is /ɪnˈdʒestʃən/, with the first syllable sounding like "in" and the second syllable starting off with a soft "j" sound.
Ingestion refers to the process by which an organism takes in or consumes food, fluids, or other substances into the body. It is a vital step in the overall process of nutrition, essential for sustaining life and providing necessary energy and nutrients for growth, maintenance, and repair of tissues and organs.
The process of ingestion typically initiates at the mouth, where food is broken down into smaller particles through chewing and mixing with saliva. This forms a bolus that is then swallowed, passing through the esophagus and eventually into the stomach. In the stomach, the ingested material is further broken down by acids and digestive enzymes.
From the stomach, the partially digested food enters the small intestine, the primary site for nutrient absorption. Here, the ingested material is further degraded and nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream, ready to be transported throughout the body for energy production and the sustenance of various bodily functions.
Ingestion is not limited to food intake but also encompasses the intake of fluids and other consumable substances, including medications and toxins. It is an essential process for all organisms, allowing them to acquire the necessary substances to maintain their bodily functions and overall health.
In summary, ingestion refers to the intake of food, fluids, and other substances into the body, initiating the process of nutrition. It involves the mechanical and chemical breakdown of ingested material, followed by the absorption of nutrients for energy production and overall bodily functioning.
The introduction of food and drink into the stomach.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The act of throwing into the stomach.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "ingestion" is derived from the Latin word "ingestio", which comes from the verb "ingerere". "Ingerere" is a compound of "in" meaning "into" and "gerere" meaning "to carry" or "to bear". Therefore, "ingestio" refers to the act of carrying or taking something into oneself. The term eventually entered the English language in the 17th century.
