50. Bodily Functions


See also 51. BODY, HUMAN .

deglutition
the process or act of swallowing.
desquamation
the shedding of the superficial epithelium, as of skin, the mucous membranes, etc.
diaphoresis
sweating, especially when artificially induced. — diaphoretic, adj.
diastalsis
the contraction of the alimentary canal in a downward direction as part of peristalsis.
diuresis
an abnormally heavy or increased discharge or flow of urine. — diuretic, n., adj.
egestion
1. the process of discharging waste matter from the body.
2. the matter discharged.
eructation
1. the process of belching.
2. that which is regurgitated in belching.
excretion
the natural process of eliminating bodily wastes in the feces and urine.
galactosis
the bodily process of producing milk.
gustation
1. the act of tasting.
2. the sense of taste.
introsusception
intussusception.
intussusception
the process by which food or other matter is taken into the body and converted into tissue. Also introsusception. intussusceptive, adj.
lachrymation, Iacrimation
the act or process of shedding tears; weeping.
lactation
1. the secretion of milk by a mammary gland.
2. the period during which secretion takes place.
manducation
the act or process of chewing or eating. — manducatory, adj.
micturition
urination. — micturate, v.
olfaction
1. the sense of smell.
2. the act of smelling. — olfactory, olfactive, adj.
oscitation
the act of yawning, as from fatigue or sleepiness.
osteoclasis
the process by which bone tissue is broken down and absorbed by the body. See also 52. BONES .
pandiculation
the process of yawning and stretching.
parhidrosis
abnormally excessive perspiration.
peristalsis
the process of contraction and relaxation by which products are moved through the alimentary canal. Cf. diastalsis. peristaltic, adj.
polyuria
the passing of an abornomally large amount of urine. — polyuric, adj.
proteolysis
the breaking down or hydrolysis of proteins into simpler compounds, as in digestion. — proteolytic, adj.
protopepsia
the primary system or process of digestion.
purulence, purulency
1. the state or condition of containing or secreting pus.
2. the production or generation of pus or similar matter. — purulent, adj.
pyrosis
a burning feeling in the stomach and esophagus, sometimes accompanied by the belching of acid fluid; heartburn.
secernment
Rare. the process of secretion. — secement, n., adj.
sialagogue
a medicine or substance that stimulates the flow of saliva. — sialagogic, n., adj.
sialorrhea, sialorrhoea
the act or process of salivation.
stasis
cessation in the flow of any of the bodily fluids, as the blood.
sternutation
1. the act of sneezing.
2. a sneeze. — sternutative, sternutatory, adj.
transudation
the act or process of oozing or exuding or being exuded, as the process by which sweat passes through pores. — transudatory, adj.
urination
the process of expelling fluids from the body in the urine.
vomition
the act or process of vomiting.
vomiturition
repeated but unsuccessful attempts to vomit; retching or slight vomiting.

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