Intestinal juice is a crucial digestive fluid secreted by glands in the small intestine. The word "intestinal" is spelled as [ɪnˈtɛstənəl], with the stressed syllable on the second syllable, and pronounced as "in-tes-tuh-nl". The "t" and "s" sounds are pronounced separately. "Juice" is spelled as [dʒus], and pronounced as "joos". The combination of the two words forms a common term used in medical and digestive health fields. Correct spelling is vital in medical writing to avoid confusion or misinformation.
Intestinal juice refers to a digestive fluid that is secreted by the glands in the walls of the small intestines. This clear, watery substance plays a crucial role in the process of digestion and absorption of nutrients in the gastrointestinal tract.
The main function of intestinal juice is to aid in the breakdown of food particles and facilitate the absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream. It contains various enzymes, such as peptidases, maltase, lactase, and sucrase, which help break down complex molecules like proteins and carbohydrates into simpler forms, such as amino acids and sugars that can be easily absorbed.
Furthermore, intestinal juice also contains bicarbonate ions that neutralize the acidic contents that come from the stomach, creating an optimal environment for enzyme activity. This neutralization helps to protect the delicate lining of the small intestines from the damaging effects of stomach acid.
The secretion and release of intestinal juice are influenced by hormonal signals and the presence of food in the digestive system. The release is regulated by hormones like secretin, which is stimulated by the acidity of chyme (partially digested food) entering the small intestines. Once released, the intestinal juice mixes with chyme, promoting further digestion and nutrient absorption.
In summary, intestinal juice is a digestive fluid secreted by the glands in the small intestines. It contains enzymes and bicarbonate ions that aid in the breakdown of food and creation of an optimal environment for absorption. Its secretion is regulated by hormonal signals and plays a vital role in the process of digestion and absorption of nutrients in the gastrointestinal tract.
Succus entericus, an alkaline straw-colored fluid secreted by the crypts of Lieberkuhn and the simple follicles; its function is to complete the hydrolysis of carbohydrates and change them into invert sugar by means of the contained invertase and maltase, and to complete the hydrolysis of protein by means of erepsin; it contains also enterokinase which is believed to convert the trypsinogen of the pancreatic juice into trypsin.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The etymology of the word "intestinal" comes from the Latin word "intestinus", which means "internal, inward". It is derived from the Latin word "inte-" which means "within" and "stes", which means "standing or staying".
The word "juice" comes from the Old French word "jus" meaning "liquid" or "sap", which is derived from the Latin word "jus" meaning "broth" or "sauce".
Therefore, the word "intestinal juice" combines the Latin word "intestinus" meaning "internal" and the Old French word "jus" meaning "liquid" or "sap", to refer to the liquid substance found within the intestines.