Gastric phase

Definition

The gastric phase is a stage in the digestion process that occurs in the stomach, where food triggers the stomach to secrete gastric juice and continue the mechanical and chemical breakdown of food. This phase accounts for about two-thirds of total gastric secretion in response to food presence.

Related terms

Gastric Juice: A mixture of hydrochloric acid, digestive enzymes, and mucus produced by the stomach's glands to chemically break down food.

Mechanical Digestion:

The physical breakdown of large pieces of food into smaller pieces which can then be digested chemically, primarily occurring through muscular contractions in the stomach.

Chemical Digestion:

The process by which enzymes break down food into small molecules that the body can absorb