Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A bolus is a small rounded mass of a substance, specifically of chewed food at the moment of swallowing. It forms as the result of the mechanical digestion and saliva mixing with food in the mouth, making it easier to swallow and digest.
Related terms
Saliva: Saliva is a watery secretion in the mouth from salivary glands, aiding in the digestion of food by moistening and breaking it down chemically.
Mechanical digestion refers to the physical breakdown of large pieces of food into smaller pieces which can then be digested chemically within the body.
The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the throat (pharynx) with the stomach; it transports swallowed food and liquids to the stomach through peristaltic movements.