digestive gland: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “digestive gland” mean?
An organ or group of cells in an animal that secretes enzymes or other substances necessary for breaking down food.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An organ or group of cells in an animal that secretes enzymes or other substances necessary for breaking down food.
A specialized organ that produces and releases digestive enzymes into a digestive cavity or tract, enabling the chemical breakdown of nutrients.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or lexical differences. Usage is identical in scientific contexts.
Connotations
None beyond its precise biological function.
Frequency
Equally low and specialised in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “digestive gland” in a Sentence
The digestive gland of [organism] secretes [enzyme].Researchers examined the [organism]'s digestive gland.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “digestive gland” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The digestive-gland tissue was analysed.
- A digestive-gland extract.
American English
- The digestive gland tissue was analyzed.
- A digestive gland extract.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in biology, zoology, and medical textbooks/research papers describing invertebrate or comparative anatomy.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
The primary context. Precise term in zoology, marine biology, and physiology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “digestive gland”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “digestive gland”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “digestive gland”
- Using 'digestive gland' to refer to the human stomach or liver (inaccurate in human anatomy).
- Misspelling as 'digestive gland*e*'.
- Confusing it with 'gastric gland' (which is a type found in the stomach lining).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not as a single, distinct organ by that name. In human anatomy, digestive functions are performed by separate glands like the salivary glands, pancreas, and liver.
No. The stomach is a muscular organ that churns food. A digestive gland is a secretory organ that releases enzymes, though it may be located within or connected to the digestive system.
Invertebrates like snails, clams, squids, and insects are frequently described as having a digestive gland.
Yes, in scientific writing, it can function attributively (e.g., 'digestive gland cells', 'digestive gland function'). Hyphenation varies.
An organ or group of cells in an animal that secretes enzymes or other substances necessary for breaking down food.
Digestive gland is usually technical/scientific in register.
Digestive gland: in British English it is pronounced /daɪˌdʒɛstɪv ˈɡlænd/, and in American English it is pronounced /daɪˌdʒɛstɪv ˈɡlænd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A gland dedicated to digestion. Just as a 'salivary gland' produces saliva, a 'digestive gland' produces digestive juices.
Conceptual Metaphor
FACTORY: The digestive gland is a chemical processing plant within the organism.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'digestive gland' MOST commonly used?