foregut

noun

fore·gut ˈfȯr-ˌgət

: the anterior part of the digestive tract of a vertebrate embryo that develops into the pharynx, esophagus, stomach, and extreme anterior part of the intestine

Examples of foregut in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This implies that the pathways of methanogenesis forming part of the microbial digestion of fiber in the foregut are similar between the groups, and that the lower methane emission of camelids can be explained by their generally lower relative food intake. —

Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 15 Apr. 2016 Scientists also identified its mouth and a foregut with plates and circular teeth. —

Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 24 June 2015 Scanning electron micrograph depicting a mass of Yersinia pestis bacteria (the cause of bubonic plague) in the foregut of the flea vector. —

Evan Bush, NBC News, 15 June 2022 As Taylor explains to Osborne, O. quadrata’s three main stomach teeth rub against each other to grind up food in the animal’s foregut. —

Meilan Solly, Smithsonian, 12 Sep. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'foregut.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of foregut was in 1875

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Foregut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foregut. Accessed 26 Sep. 2023.

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Medical Definition

foregut

noun

fore·gut -ˌgət

: the anterior part of the digestive tract of a vertebrate embryo that develops into the pharynx, esophagus, stomach, and extreme anterior part of the intestine

: the anterior part of the definitive digestive tract of an invertebrate animal