bolus

Examples of bolus in the following topics:

• Organs of the Digestive System

  • When we mix up food with saliva, the resulting mushy wad is called a bolus.
  • The bolus gets swallowed, and begins its journey through the upper gastrointestinal tract.
  • As we swallow, the bolus moves down our esophagus, from the pharynx to the stomach, through waves of muscle movement known as peristalsis.
  • Next the bolus reaches the stomach itself.
  • Here our bolus gets mixed with digestive acids, furthering breakdown of the bolus, and turning the bolus material into a slimy mess called chyme.

• Processes and Functions of the Digestive System

  • Once food is moistened and rolled and ready to swallow, it is known as a bolus.
  • Swallowing occurs when the muscles in your tongue and mouth move the bolus into your pharynx.
  • Waves of muscle movement, called peristalsis, move the bolus down to the stomach.
  • Once the bolus reaches the stomach, gastric juices mix with the partially digested food and continue the breakdown process.
  • The bolus is converted into a slimy material called chyme.

• Esophagus

  • In much of the gastrointestinal tract, smooth muscles contract in sequence to produce a peristaltic wave which forces a ball of food (called a bolus) from the pharynx to the stomach.

• Digestion in the Mouth, Pharynx, and Esophagus

  • It also contains mucus, a glycoprotein, that helps soften the food and form it into a bolus.
  • The reflex is initiated by touch receptors in the pharynx as the bolus of food is pushed to the back of the mouth.

• Adjustments of the Infant at Birth

  • If the blood glucose is still low, then an intravenous (IV) bolus of glucose may be delivered, with continuous infusion if necessary.

• Mouth

  • Saliva keeps the mouth moist and lubricates the food, helping the tongue form the food into a soft wad, called a bolus.