PREPYLORIC SPHINCTER Meaning and
Definition
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The prepyloric sphincter, also known as the pyloric sphincter or pylorus, is a circular band of muscle located at the lower end of the stomach. It serves as a valve-like structure that regulates the passage of food from the stomach to the small intestine. The term "prepyloric" indicates its position just before the pylorus, which is the opening between the stomach and the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine.
The main function of the prepyloric sphincter is to control the flow of partially digested food, known as chyme, from the stomach into the small intestine. It contracts to keep the chyme in the stomach, allowing the stomach to further break down food and mix it with digestive juices, while simultaneously preventing the contents from flowing too rapidly into the small intestine.
When the chyme is appropriately processed in the stomach, the prepyloric sphincter relaxes, allowing small amounts of the digested food to pass through into the duodenum for further digestion and absorption. This controlled release helps prevent overwhelming the small intestine and aids in the optimal digestion and absorption of nutrients.
Disorders or dysfunctions of the prepyloric sphincter can lead to various symptoms such as gastric reflux, gastroparesis, or pyloric stenosis. Treatment options for conditions affecting this sphincter may include dietary modifications, medications, or in severe cases, surgical intervention to alleviate symptoms and restore normal functioning.
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A band of circular muscular fibers in the wall of the stomach near the pylorus, the contraction of which during digestion forms the antrum pyloricum.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PREPYLORIC SPHINCTER
- orepyloric sphincter
- lrepyloric sphincter
- -repyloric sphincter
- 0repyloric sphincter
- peepyloric sphincter
- pdepyloric sphincter
- pfepyloric sphincter
- ptepyloric sphincter
- p5epyloric sphincter
- p4epyloric sphincter
- prwpyloric sphincter
- prspyloric sphincter
- prdpyloric sphincter
- prrpyloric sphincter
- pr4pyloric sphincter
- pr3pyloric sphincter
- preoyloric sphincter
- prelyloric sphincter
- pre-yloric sphincter
- pre0yloric sphincter
Etymology of PREPYLORIC SPHINCTER
The word "prepyloric sphincter" is derived from Latin and Greek roots.
The term "sphincter" originates from the Greek word "sphinkter" which means "a band that tightens" or "a band that contracts". This refers to the ring-like structures in the body that can constrict or relax to control the flow of substances through various organs or body systems.
The word "pyloric" comes from the Greek term "puloros", which means "gatekeeper" or "watcher". In the context of the digestive system, it refers to the part of the stomach called the pylorus, which acts as a gatekeeper controlling the passage of food from the stomach to the small intestine.
