Bolus
Bolus
Bolus (pronounced: /ˈboʊləs/) is a term with several related meanings in the medical field. It is derived from the Latin word bolus, which means "a small ball".
Definition
A bolus is a single, large dose of a drug, or a mass of substance, given by injection for therapeutic purposes. In the context of digestion, a bolus also refers to a mass of chewed food at the moment of swallowing.
Usage
In Pharmacology, a bolus is a large volume of a drug or other compound given intravenously and rapidly at the onset of treatment. This is often used in situations where a quick response is required, or to rapidly attain therapeutic levels of a drug in the bloodstream.
In Gastroenterology, a bolus refers to the ball-like mixture of food and saliva that forms in the mouth during the process of chewing, which is then swallowed and passed down the esophagus into the stomach for digestion.
Related Terms
- Intravenous therapy: A therapy that delivers fluids directly into a vein. The intravenous route of administration can be used for injections or infusions (commonly called drips).
- Digestion: The process of breaking down food by mechanical and enzymatic action in the stomach and intestines into substances that can be used by the body.
- Therapeutic level: The concentration of a drug in the bloodstream that produces the desired effect without causing toxicity.
Etymology
The term bolus comes from the Latin bolus, which means "a small ball". It was first used in English in the 17th century, in the sense of a large pill or dose of medicine. The use of the term in the sense of a mass of chewed food dates from the 19th century.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Bolus
- Wikipedia's article - Bolus
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