The pyloric valve is a structure located between the stomach and the small intestine that regulates the flow of food. The word "pyloric" is spelled /paɪˈlɒrɪk/, with the stress on the second syllable. The "pylo" part derives from the Greek word "pulos," meaning gate or passage, while the "ric"part comes from the Latin word "ricus," meaning related to or resembling. The "valve" is simply a term for a device that controls the flow of fluid or gas. Together, "pyloric valve" is a perfectly spelled and phonetically pronounced term for a crucial organ in the digestive system.
The pyloric valve is a specific anatomical structure that acts as a gatekeeper between two sections of the digestive system - the stomach and the small intestine - facilitating the movement of food from one region to another. It is a muscular band, located at the lower end of the stomach, near the exit into the small intestine, specifically known as the duodenum.
The pyloric valve is responsible for regulating the flow of partially digested food, known as chyme, from the stomach into the small intestine for further digestion and absorption of nutrients. This valve opens and closes, controlling the release of chyme in a controlled manner to ensure optimal digestion.
The process of digestion begins as food enters the stomach, where it undergoes mechanical and chemical breakdown. As the food is broken down into smaller particles, the pyloric valve remains closed, allowing the stomach to churn and mix the contents. Once the food reaches an appropriate consistency, the valve relaxes and opens, releasing small amounts of chyme into the small intestine. This regulated release prevents overwhelming the small intestine with a large volume of chyme, allowing for efficient digestion and absorption of nutrients.
In summary, the pyloric valve is a muscular structure located at the lower end of the stomach, controlling the passage of partially digested food from the stomach into the small intestine. It plays a crucial role in regulating the flow of chyme for efficient digestion and nutrient absorption.
Valvula pylori.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "pyloric" in "pyloric valve" is derived from the Greek word "pýlōros" (πύλωρος), which means "gatekeeper" or "doorkeeper". "Valve" comes from the Latin word "valva", which means "a folding door" or "a fold". Thus, the term "pyloric valve" refers to the gatekeeper or door-like structure located near the junction between the stomach and the small intestine.