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bolus
This term is primarily used in medical and biological contexts to describe a discrete, concentrated mass. In digestive physiology, it refers to the physical state of food after it has been chewed and mixed with saliva, creating a soft, rounded shape suitable for swallowing.
In clinical pharmacology, the word shifts from describing a physical mass to describing a delivery method. A bolus injection is characterized by its speed and concentration, contrasting with a slow drip or continuous infusion to achieve a rapid therapeutic effect in the bloodstream.
Meanings
A small rounded mass of a substance, especially food or medicine, that is swallowed or injected.
The patient struggled to swallow the bolus of food.
A single, concentrated dose of a medication administered rapidly, typically via intravenous injection.
The nurse administered a bolus of saline to stabilize the patient's blood pressure.