PYLORIC SPHINCTER Meaning and
Definition
-
The pyloric sphincter is a circular muscular valve located at the lower end of the stomach, specifically at the point where the stomach connects to the first part of the small intestine, known as the duodenum. It serves as a crucial anatomical structure in the gastrointestinal system, regulating the passage of partially digested food (chyme) from the stomach into the small intestine.
Functionally, the pyloric sphincter acts as a barrier between the stomach and the small intestine, controlling the rate at which chyme is released. It helps ensure optimal digestion and absorption of nutrients by preventing the contents of the stomach from entering the small intestine too quickly. This allows the digestive enzymes and secretions from the small intestine to effectively break down the chyme and facilitate absorption into the bloodstream.
The pyloric sphincter maintains a resting tone, meaning it remains in a state of partial contraction to keep the opening between the stomach and small intestine constricted. However, when the stomach muscles contract and churn the partially digested food, known as gastric peristalsis, the pyloric sphincter relaxes and opens slightly, allowing small amounts of chyme to enter the small intestine. This process occurs in a controlled manner and ensures that the small intestine receives chyme at a rate it can handle.
Overall, the pyloric sphincter plays a crucial role in the digestive process by regulating the flow of food from the stomach into the small intestine while maintaining optimal digestion and nutrient absorption.
-
A circular thickening of the muscular wall of the stomach surrounding the pyloric orifice.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PYLORIC SPHINCTER
- oyloric sphincter
- lyloric sphincter
- -yloric sphincter
- 0yloric sphincter
- ptloric sphincter
- pgloric sphincter
- phloric sphincter
- puloric sphincter
- p7loric sphincter
- p6loric sphincter
- pykoric sphincter
- pyporic sphincter
- pyooric sphincter
- pyliric sphincter
- pylkric sphincter
- pyllric sphincter
- pylpric sphincter
- pyl0ric sphincter
- pyl9ric sphincter
Etymology of PYLORIC SPHINCTER
The word "pyloric sphincter" has its etymology rooted in Latin and Greek.
The term "pyloric" comes from the Greek word "pulos", meaning "gate" or "door". It refers to the gate-like or door-like structure of the sphincter muscle, which acts as a valve controlling the flow of food from the stomach into the small intestine.
The word "sphincter", on the other hand, originates from the Greek word "sphingktēr", which means "a band that binds tightly". It refers to the muscular ring-like structure that contracts and relaxes to regulate the passage of substances between two adjacent organs or from one part of an organ to another.
Similar spelling word for PYLORIC SPHINCTER
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
