Which term refers to the mass of chewed food and saliva in the mouth that is ready to be swallowed?

Which term refers to the mass of chewed food and saliva in the mouth that is ready to be swallowed?

• A. Bolus
• B. Bolos
• C. Masticate
• D. Tongue

Answer: (A)

In digestion, the mass of chewed food mixed with saliva that is ready to be swallowed is called a bolus. Chewing combines food with saliva to form this cohesive lump, which smooths the passage down the esophagus and begins the swallowing reflex. The term bolus is the correct one for that ready-to-swallow mass. Bolos isn’t a recognized term in anatomy, so it doesn’t fit. Masticate is the action of chewing, not the lump itself, and the tongue is the structure that manipulates food in the mouth, not the swallowed mass.

In digestion, the mass of chewed food mixed with saliva that is ready to be swallowed is called a bolus. Chewing combines food with saliva to form this cohesive lump, which smooths the passage down the esophagus and begins the swallowing reflex. The term bolus is the correct one for that ready-to-swallow mass. Bolos isn’t a recognized term in anatomy, so it doesn’t fit. Masticate is the action of chewing, not the lump itself, and the tongue is the structure that manipulates food in the mouth, not the swallowed mass.