Succus entericus is also known as:

Appeared in: BTSC 3 August 2025

Explanation

Succus entericus is the traditional medical term for intestinal juice, derived from Latin where 'succus' means juice and 'entericus' relates to the intestine.
It is secreted by glands in the walls of the small intestine, specifically the crypts of Lieberkühn, at a rate of about 1800 mL per day.
This fluid is alkaline (pH 7.5–8.0), which helps neutralize acidic chyme from the stomach and provides the optimal environment for digestive enzymes to function.
Its primary role is to act as a watery vehicle for the final stages of chemical digestion and absorption of nutrients.

Option A: Gastric juice is secreted by the stomach, not the intestine. It is highly acidic (pH 1.0-3.5) due to hydrochloric acid, whereas succus entericus is alkaline.
Option B: Saliva is secreted by the salivary glands in the mouth. Its primary enzyme is salivary amylase, which begins starch digestion.
Option D: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is unrelated to the digestive system. It is a clear fluid that circulates in and around the brain and spinal cord, providing protection and metabolic support to the central nervous system.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Terminology of Digestive System Secretions as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the composition of succus entericus is vital in managing patients with high-output small bowel fistulas or stomas. Significant loss of this alkaline, electrolyte-rich fluid can lead to severe dehydration, malnutrition, and metabolic acidosis.
Nurses monitor the volume and consistency of intestinal drainage to assess fluid and electrolyte balance and guide replacement therapy.
What if? If a patient develops a paralytic ileus, the secretion of succus entericus may continue, but its movement and reabsorption stop. This leads to fluid accumulation in the bowel, causing distension, nausea, and vomiting, often requiring nasogastric decompression.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question based on medical terminology.
Identify the key term in the question: 'Succus entericus'.
Break down the term if possible: 'Succus' is Latin for juice, and 'entericus' or 'entero-' relates to the intestine.
Evaluate the options based on this etymological clue and your knowledge of gastrointestinal physiology.
Eliminate 'gastric juice' (stomach), 'saliva' (mouth), and 'cerebrospinal fluid' (nervous system), which are clearly distinct.
Confirm that 'intestinal juice' is the direct synonym for 'succus entericus'.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Physiology Guyton 4SAE Part 2A pp. 205-207, 158-160

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