foregut

[ fawr-guht, fohr- ]

noun

1. Zoology.
   1. the first portion of the vertebrate alimentary canal, extending from the pharynx and esophagus to the end of the stomach or gizzard and, in some animals, the anterior duodenum, functioning in the ingestion, temporary storage, and partial digestion of food.
   2. the first portion of the alimentary canal in arthropods and annelids, composed of ectodermal, chitin-lined tissue and usually comprising the pharynx, esophagus, crop, and gizzard.
2. Embryology. (in mammals) the upper part of the embryonic alimentary canal from which the pharynx, esophagus, lung, stomach, liver, pancreas, and part of the duodenum develop.

foregut

/ ˈfɔːˌɡʌt /

noun

1. the anterior part of the digestive tract of vertebrates, between the buccal cavity and the bile duct
2. the anterior part of the digestive tract of arthropods

Word History and Origins

Origin of foregut¹

First recorded in 1885–90; fore- + gut

Example Sentences

In addition to figuring out which end was which, the scientists also identified the tiny worm’s eyes, its mouth, and its foregut—stretching from the back of the mouth down its thin neck—complete with plates and circular teeth.

From Science Magazine

A new model for the creature includes a ring of teeth around its mouth, a simple pair of eyes, and a foregut lined with tiny little teeth.

From The Verge

And some animals that consume foods high in plant fiber — like cows, colobus monkeys and kangaroos — have digestive systems with “foregut” areas in which fermentation effectively breaks down cellulose into absorbable nutrients.

From New York Times

Then, to turn that foregut into stomach tissue, they worked out you need to add a dash of retinoic acid.

From Economist

Archaeol is thought to come from organisms called archaea, which are symbiotic or 'friendly' microbes that live in the foregut of ruminant animals.

From US News