noun / verb
reflux
REE-fluks/ˈriːflʌks/
The flowing of material back toward its source.
Reflux sends stomach fluid back up into the lower esophagus.
Etymology
The pieces mean “flow back,” originally used of returning water, including an ebb tide. The digestive sense applies that same backward-flow image to stomach acid entering the esophagus.
In context
acid reflux happens when the contents of our stomach including acid pushes back up into our esophagus
More examples
- Stomach contents can reflux into the esophagus after a meal.
- A faulty valve allows reflux through the pipe.
- We reflux the mixture, condensing its vapor back into the flask.
Forms
reflux · refluxes · refluxed · refluxing
Similar words
- backflow
- Describes reverse flow, especially in pipes and plumbing systems.
- regurgitation
- Usually means food or liquid returning to the mouth.