intestinal
/in'testinl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Relating to the intestines: Pertaining to or located within the intestines, which are the long, continuous tube in the digestive system running from the stomach to the anus.
- Internal, visceral: By extension, can describe something as being deep within or fundamental to a system, though this is a less common figurative use.
Usage and Examples
- Basic Adjective Use:
- The doctor specialized in intestinal disorders. (The doctor's expertise was in diseases affecting the intestines.)
- An intestinal blockage can be a serious medical condition. (An obstruction inside the intestines is a serious health issue.)
- The intestinal lining absorbs nutrients from food. (The inner surface of the intestines absorbs nutrients.)
Advanced Usage
- "intestinal flora": The community of microorganisms, including bacteria, that normally live in the intestines.
- A healthy balance of intestinal flora is crucial for digestion.
- "intestinal fortitude": (Idiomatic) Courage, grit, or endurance; a figurative use comparing inner strength to the toughness of the intestines.
- Finishing the marathon required tremendous intestinal fortitude.
Variants and Related Words
- Intestine (noun): The organ itself; the bowels or gut.
- The small intestine is where most nutrient absorption occurs.
- Intestinally (adverb): In a manner relating to the intestines.
- The medication is absorbed intestinally.
- Gastrointestinal (adjective): Pertaining to both the stomach and the intestines.
- He experienced gastrointestinal discomfort.
Synonyms
- Enteric (adjective): A more technical synonym for intestinal.
- The enteric nervous system controls gut function.
- Visceral (adjective): Relating to the internal organs; can be used more broadly than just the intestines.
Related Phrases and Compounds
- Intestinal tract: Another term for the intestines or the digestive passage.
- The infection spread through the entire intestinal tract.
- Intestinal parasite: An organism that lives in and feeds off the intestines.
- The traveler was diagnosed with an intestinal parasite.
Adjective
- of or relating to or inside the intestines
- intestinal disease