Bodily Functions

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.