MASTICATORY STOMACH Meaning and
Definition
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A masticatory stomach, also known as a gizzard, is a specialized digestive organ found in certain animals. It is a muscular pouch, typically located close to the entry of the digestive tract, which aids in the mechanical breakdown of food before it is further processed by the digestive system.
In animals such as birds, reptiles, and some fish, the masticatory stomach plays a vital role as they lack teeth or have limited chewing capabilities. The main function of this organ is to grind the ingested food into smaller, more manageable particles, facilitating the digestion process. This is achieved through strong contractions of the stomach muscles, which forcefully squeeze and crush the food with the help of swallowed stones or grit.
The masticatory stomach is lined with a tough, thickened lining to withstand the abrasive action of the stones or grit. Once the food is sufficiently ground, it proceeds to the next section of the digestive system, where it undergoes further breakdown and nutrient absorption.
This specialized stomach is a key adaptation seen in animals with different diets, particularly those that consume hard-shelled organisms, seeds, or plant matter. By effectively grinding down food particles, the masticatory stomach enables these animals to derive nutrients from indigestible materials that would otherwise pass through the digestive system untouched.
Common Misspellings for MASTICATORY STOMACH
- nasticatory stomach
- kasticatory stomach
- jasticatory stomach
- mzsticatory stomach
- mssticatory stomach
- mwsticatory stomach
- mqsticatory stomach
- maaticatory stomach
- mazticatory stomach
- maxticatory stomach
- madticatory stomach
- maeticatory stomach
- mawticatory stomach
- masricatory stomach
- masficatory stomach
- masgicatory stomach
- masyicatory stomach
- mas6icatory stomach
- mas5icatory stomach
- mastucatory stomach
Etymology of MASTICATORY STOMACH
The word "masticatory stomach" is a compound noun consisting of the words "masticatory" and "stomach".
1. "Masticatory" originates from the Late Latin word "masticatorius", which comes from the verb "masticare", meaning "to chew". The Latin term is derived from the Greek word "mastichein", with the same meaning.
2. "Stomach" traces back to the Middle English word "stomak", originally borrowed from the Old French word "estomac", which originates from the Latin word "stomachus". The Latin term is derived from the Ancient Greek word "stomakhos", meaning "gullet, esophagus, stomach".
