The correct spelling of the term referring to glands in the stomach that secrete acid is "oxyntic glands." The word is pronounced /ɒkˈsɪntɪk ɡlændz/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "oxy" is pronounced with the short "o" sound followed by the "ks" consonant cluster. The second syllable "ntic" has a short "i" sound followed by the "nt" consonant cluster. The final syllable "glands" is pronounced with a long "a" sound and a soft "dz" consonant cluster.
Oxyntic glands, also known as gastric glands or fundic glands, refer to the specialized epithelial cells found in the lining of the stomach that secrete gastric juices. These glands are primarily responsible for the production and release of hydrochloric acid (HCl), pepsinogen, and intrinsic factor, which play crucial roles in the digestive process.
The oxyntic glands are situated in the gastric mucosa, which lines the inner surface of the stomach. They are mostly concentrated within the fundus and the body of the stomach, while being absent or reduced in number in the antrum, a lower section of the stomach. These glands are composed of different cell types that contribute to gastric secretion. The chief or zymogenic cells secrete pepsinogen, the inactive form of the enzyme pepsin, which helps initiate protein digestion. Parietal or oxyntic cells are responsible for the production of HCl, which provides the acidic environment necessary for pepsinogen activation and also helps in sterilizing the stomach by killing certain microorganisms. Lastly, mucous neck cells produce a protective layer of mucus that coats the stomach lining, preventing it from being damaged by the acidic environment.
Understanding the functions of oxyntic glands is essential in diagnosing and treating various gastrointestinal disorders, such as gastric ulcers, gastritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
The acid-secreting glands of the stomach.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "oxyntic glands" is derived from the Greek words "oxy" meaning "acid" or "sharp" and "hyntikos" meaning "leading to". In Greek, "oxy" refers to the production of acid, and "hyntikos" refers to something leading or discharging. Therefore, "oxyntic glands" can be understood as referring to the gastric glands of the stomach that secrete hydrochloric acid and are responsible for the acid environment necessary for digestion.