gastræa

[Gr. gaster (gen it. gastros )=the belly.] Palæont.: A hypothetical genus of animals consisting simply of a sac or stomach, with an ectodermal and endodermal layer of cells. This simple organism Hæckel a umes to have been the first animal generated on the earth, and the germ from which the whole animal kingdom with its infinite diversities was gradually evolved. *găs-trăl-ġỹ, găs-trăl-gi-a, s. [Gr. gaster (gen it. gastros ) =the belly, and algos = pain; French gastral gie .] Pathol .: A nervous pain in the stomach, without fever. IMG:content-0355.png:[blocks in formation] Anat.: A colorle liquid secreted by the stomach, containing about 98.5 per cent. of water; when evaporated to dryne and burnt, the ashes consist chiefly of sodium chloride. The gastric juice also contains a free acid, probably hydrochloric acid, and a peculiar substance called pepsine (q. v.), to which, and the presence of the free acid, the power of digesting food po e ed by the gastric juice appears to be due. An artificial gastric juice can be formed by extracting pepsine from the coats of the stomach by means of glycerine, and adding to the filtered liquid an aqueous solution containing 01 per cent. of hydrochloric acid. "The gastric- juice , or the liquor which digests the food in the stomachs of animals, is of this cla . Of all menstrua, it is the most active, the most universal."- Paley : Natural Theology , ch. vii. gastric-system, s. Anat .: The parts of the body by means of which digestion is carried on. *găs-tric-al, a . [Eng. gastric; al.] Pertaining to the stomach or good living; gastronomical. "What kind of genius is your lordship's gastrical chef?"- Disraeli : Vivian Grey , bk. ii., ch. ii. Pathol .: Inflammation of the stomach, either acute or chronic, usually most severe at the pyloric orifice, generally caused by corrosive or irritant poisons, but chiefly from the use of raw spirits, accompanied by nausea, sickne , ., and in severe cases followed by congestion. It seldom occurs in persons of temperate habit. găs-tro-, pref. [GASTERO-.] gastro-colic, a. Anat.: Pertaining to the stomach and to the colon; as, the gastro - colic omentum. gastro-duodenal, a. Anat.: Pertaining to the stomach and the duodenum; as, the gastro - duodenal artery, the gastro duodenal plexus. gastro-epiploic, a. Anat .: Pertaining to the stomach and the omentum; as, the gastro- epiploic plexus, the gastro epiploic vein. gastroscope Bot.: A genus of Orchids, family Gastrodide (q. v.). The tubers of Gasirodia sesamoides , the native potato of Tasmania, were eaten by the natives of that island, but are watery and insipid. (Lindley.) găs trō-di-dæ, s. pl. [Mod. Lat. gastrod(ia), and Lat. fem. pl. adj. suff. -ide.] Bot .: A family of Orchids, tribe Arethuseæ. găs trổ dỹn-I-a, s . [Pref. gastro- (q. v.), and Gr. odune pain.] Pathol.: Pain in the stomach, usually accompanying gastritis, although also found in other complaints, such as dyspepsia or indigestion. găs-trō-en-ter-i-tis, s. [Pref. gastro- (q. v.), and Mod. Lat., ., enteritis (q. v.).] Pathol.: Inflammation of the mucous membrane, both of the intestines and of the stomach.