Gastric juice

The mucous surface of the stomach has many folds, elongated longitudinally, and elevations (gastric fields), on which there are a large number of pits. In these grooves and allocated gastric juice. It is produced by the glands of the mucous surface of the organ, looks like a colorless transparent liquid and has an acidic taste.

Cells of the glands of the stomach are divided into three groups: major, additional and obkladochnye. Each of them produces different components that enter the gastric juice. The composition of the main cells is enzymes that help to lay out food substances into simpler, easily digestible ones. Pepsin, for example, splits proteins, and lipase - fats.

Lining cells produce hydrochloric acid, without which in the cavity of the stomach can not form the right acidic medium. Its concentration does not exceed 0.5%. Huge role in digestion also belongs to hydrochloric acid. It helps to soften many substances of a clump of food, makes active enzymes of gastric juice, destroys microorganisms. Hydrochloric acid participates in the formation of digestive hormones. It also provokes the production of enzymes by the pancreas. Such a concept as "acidity" determines the amount of hydrochloric acid in gastric juice. It is not always the same. Acidity depends on how quickly the juice is released and whether it neutralizes mucus, which has an alkaline reaction, its level varies with diseases of the digestive system.

The viscosity, which has gastric juice, gives it the mucus produced by the additional cells. It makes hydrochloric acid neutral, thereby reducing the acidity of the gastric juice. Also this mucus promotes complete digestion of nutrients, protects from mucous membrane irritations and damages.

In addition to the above components, gastric juice contains many inorganic and organic substances, including the Castle factor - a special substance, without which it is impossible to absorb the vitamin B 12 in the small intestine, which is necessary for the full maturation of red blood cells in the bone marrow.

Gastric juice, secreted at different times of secretion, has an unequal force of digestion. This was also established by IP Pavlov. He said that secretion does not continue continuously: when the digestive process does not occur, no juice is released into the stomach cavity. It is made only in connection with the reception of food. Isolation of gastric juice can provoke not only food that has got into the stomach or the tongue. Even the smell of her, talking about her is the reason for his education.

Gastric juice can have a different composition and quantity in diseases of the liver, blood, stomach, gallbladder, intestines, etc. His research is the most important diagnostic method used in modern medicine. It is performed with the help of a gastric probe, which is injected directly into the stomach sometimes on an empty stomach, sometimes after taking a preparatory breakfast consisting of special stimuli. The extracted contents are then analyzed. Modern probes have sensors that react to temperature, pressure and acidity in the organ.

The quality and quantity of it can also change under the influence of emotions, on the nerves. Therefore, sometimes repeated tests of gastric juice are required to clarify the diagnosis.

It is known that in medical practice it is used as a medicine for stomach diseases, which are accompanied by insufficient allocation of juice or a small amount of hydrochloric acid in it. Use it only as directed by a doctor. Gastric juice, prescribed for this purpose, can be both natural and artificial.