Chapter 17, Problem 17.3BTA

Summary Introduction

To describe: The specific actions of the vomiting reflex that prevent aspiration.

Concept introduction: Vomiting is a common indicator of digestive or gastrointestinal disorders and also considered as a part of body’s defense to remove noxious substances from the body. It can be taken into account for the diagnosis of disease by determining the characteristics of the vomitus and the vomiting patterns. Vomiting occurs when the chyme (partially digested food with gastric secretions) is forcefully expelled from the stomach or sometimes from the intestine to mouth.