Understanding the Bolus: Formation & Role in Digestion

In the context of digestion, a bolus is the semi-solid, partially chewed mass of food that is formed in the mouth after chewing and combined with saliva. When a person swallows, the bolus is propelled down the esophagus toward the stomach. In the stomach, the bolus mixes with gastric juices and undergoes further mechanical and chemical digestion before becoming a liquid substance called chyme.