digestion

(di-jest’yun) [L. diges’tio, from dis apart + gerere to carry]. 1. The proce or act of converting food into materials fit to be absorbed and a imilated. 2. The subjection of a body to prolonged heat and moisture, so as to disintegrate and soften it. artificial d., that which is performed outside the body. biliary d., the digestive effect of the bile upon food. gastric d., that which is carried on in the stomach by aid of the gastric juice. Called also peptic d. gastro-intestinal d., the gastric and intestinal digestions together. intercellular d., digestion carried on within an organ by secretions from the cells of the organ. intestinal d., that which is carried on in the intestine. intracellular d., digestion carried on within a single cell. pancreatic d., that which is performed by the pancreatic secretion. parenteral d., digestion taking place somewhere else in the body than in the alimentary canal, as in the blood or under the skin. peptic d. Same as gastric d. pri d. Same as gastro-intestinal d. salivary d., the change of starch into maltose by the. saliva. secondary d., the final preparation of food for a imilation by aid of closed glands, lymphatics, marrow, and body-cells in general.