A backward flowing, as the casting up of undigested food, or the backflow of blood through a defective heart valve. In the alimentary canal the regurgitation of food comes from the esophagus, as distinct from vomiting in which the food comes from the stomach. A sign of pyloric obstruction or megaesophagus.
- r. cycle — see
reticular cycle . - neurotic r. — regurgitation by budgerigars is a common phenomenon with no physiological explanation and is considered to be an expression of affection.
- valvular r. — backflow of blood through the orifices of the heart valves owing to imperfect closing of the valves (valvular insufficiency); named, according to the valve affected, aortic, mitral, pulmonic or tricuspid regurgitation.
