Chyme
Chyme
Chyme (/kaɪm/; from Greek χυμός khymos, "juice") is the semi-fluid mass of partly digested food that is expelled by the stomach, through the pyloric valve, into the duodenum (the beginning of the small intestine).
Etymology
The term "chyme" comes from the Greek word "khymos," which means juice. It was first used in English in the 16th century and was borrowed from Latin "chymus," which in turn came from the Greek "khymos."
Process
Chyme is created in the stomach from ingested food and gastric secretions. In the stomach, digestive enzymes and gastric juice are added to the food to assist in its digestion. This creates a thick semi-fluid mass of partially digested food.
Composition
Chyme is composed of partially digested food, water, hydrochloric acid, and digestive enzymes. It has a low pH of about 2, which helps to kill bacteria and other pathogens in food, and also activates the enzyme pepsin.
Role in Digestion
The creation of chyme is an essential part of the digestive process. The chyme is then passed through the pyloric valve into the duodenum where it is chemically digested by enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver. The nutrients are then absorbed into the bloodstream through the walls of the small intestine.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Chyme
- Wikipedia's article - Chyme
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