alimentary canal

American  

noun

1. Anatomy, Zoology. a tubular passage functioning in the digestion and absorption of food and the elimination of food residue, beginning at the mouth and terminating at the anus.

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alimentary canal British  

noun

1. the tubular passage extending from the mouth to the anus, through which food is passed and digested

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alimentary canal Scientific  

/ ăl′ə-mĕn′tə-rē /

1. The tube or passage of the digestive system through which food passes, nutrients are absorbed, and waste is eliminated.

2. See also digestive tract

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Etymology

Origin of alimentary canal

First recorded in 1755–65

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

alimentary canal

Let’s not overlook how long it takes for a federal lawsuit to make its way through the judicial alimentary canal.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 6, 2025

The archenteron develops into the alimentary canal, and a mouth opening is formed by invagination of ectoderm at the pole opposite the blastopore of the gastrula.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015

Both the mouth and anus are open to the external environment; thus, food and wastes within the alimentary canal are technically considered to be outside the body.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

Notice that the epithelium is in direct contact with the lumen, the space inside the alimentary canal.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

Peristaltic, per-i-stalt′ik, adj. noting the involuntary muscular action of the alimentary canal, by which it forces its contents onwards.—n.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various