pyloric valve
- noun
- /paɪˈlɔrɪk vælv/
- Specialized
- During surgery, the doctor examined the pyloric valve for signs of blockage or abnormality.
Examples
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The pyloric valve regulates the flow of food.
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The pyloric valve prevents food from passing from the stomach to the intestines too quickly.
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Disorders of the pyloric valve can lead to problems with digestion in infants and adults.
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During digestion, the pyloric valve opens and closes.
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The pyloric valve regulates how food moves from the stomach into the duodenum.
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Surgeons carefully examine the pyloric valve during a gastric bypass operation.
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A blocked pyloric valve can lead to serious digestive issues.
Synonyms
A ring of muscle at the end of the stomach that controls food entering the small intestine
A ring of muscle at the end of the stomach that controls food entering the small intestine
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is fully compositional: 'pyloric' (pertaining to the pylorus) modifies 'valve' (a flow-control device), so the meaning 'the valve at the pylorus that controls passage of food' is directly derivable from the parts. Although 'pyloric' is a technical term, the adjective+noun structure and similar anatomical labels across languages make the expression predictable for learners who know both constituents.
Etymology
Pyloric valve is a medical name for the small ring at the end of the stomach: pyloric points to the stomach exit and valve is like a 'gate' that opens and closes. So the pyloric valve is the muscle 'gate' that lets food 'pass' into the intestine, which is why it means 'the ring of muscle that controls the passage of food'.