alimentary canal: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Specialised)Technical, Scientific, Formal, Medical
Quick answer
What does “alimentary canal” mean?
The tube-like structure in the body, running from the mouth to the anus, through which food passes and is digested.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The tube-like structure in the body, running from the mouth to the anus, through which food passes and is digested.
In a broader sense, the entire system of organs involved in the process of ingestion, digestion, absorption, and egestion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or use. The term is equally standard in both scientific registers.
Connotations
Purely technical/clinical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both, confined to biological, medical, and anatomical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “alimentary canal” in a Sentence
The X (food, bolus, chyme) moves through the alimentary canal.The alimentary canal consists of X (organs).An X (obstruction, ulcer, infection) occurred in the alimentary canal.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “alimentary canal” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The alimentary function is crucial.
- He studied alimentary physiology.
American English
- The alimentary function is vital.
- She researched alimentary absorption.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Common in biology, anatomy, medicine, and physiology textbooks and lectures.
Everyday
Extremely rare. 'Digestive system' or 'gut' would be used instead.
Technical
Standard term in medical diagnosis, surgical reports, and anatomical descriptions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “alimentary canal”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “alimentary canal”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “alimentary canal”
- Incorrect: 'alimentary channel'. Correct: 'alimentary canal'.
- Incorrect: 'The stomach is the alimentary canal.' Correct: 'The stomach is part of the alimentary canal.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Very similar, but 'alimentary canal' refers specifically to the continuous tube from mouth to anus. The 'digestive system' can also include accessory organs like the liver and pancreas.
The mouth, pharynx, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine.
It would sound very formal and technical. In everyday speech, people say 'digestive system' or simply 'gut'.
It comes from the Latin 'alimentarius', meaning 'pertaining to food', from 'alimentum' (nourishment).
The tube-like structure in the body, running from the mouth to the anus, through which food passes and is digested.
Alimentary canal is usually technical, scientific, formal, medical in register.
Alimentary canal: in British English it is pronounced /ˌæl.ɪˈmen.tər.i kəˈnæl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæl.əˈmen.tə.ri kəˈnæl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “N/A”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CANAL that transports food, like a water canal transports boats. 'Alimentary' sounds like 'aliments' (old word for food). So, it's the 'food canal'.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY IS A TUBE / THE BODY IS A PROCESSING SYSTEM (food goes in one end, waste comes out the other).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a synonym for 'alimentary canal'?