What do we call the semi-fluid, partly digested food that exits the stomach?

The semi-fluid, partly digested food that exits the stomach is known as chyme. This substance forms in the stomach as the food is mixed with gastric juices, which contain acids and enzymes that begin the digestion process. Chyme is a thick, soupy mixture that moves from the stomach into the small intestine, where digestion and nutrient absorption continue.

Chyme is distinct from other terms. A bolus refers to a rounded mass of food that has been chewed and is ready to be swallowed, which occurs before the food enters the stomach. Chloroplasts are organelles found in plant cells responsible for photosynthesis, unrelated to the digestive process. Amylase is an enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates into sugars and is found in saliva and pancreatic juices but does not denote a stage of processed food like chyme does. Understanding these distinctions clarifies why chyme is the correct term in this context.