Glycerol
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Glycerol is also known was glycerin.
Glycerol is a clear liquid with a viscous consistency.
("Viscous" means very thick e.g. flows more like treacle than like water - but the term "viscous" conveys no information about colour or transparency).
Glycerol can be produced by hydrolysis of fats and mixed oils, e.g. as a by-product in the manufacture of soap.
What does glycerin do:
Glycerol has various uses, such as an emollient in some skin products, as a sweetening agent in some pharmaceutical products, and as a laxative (e.g. in the form of suppositories). The use of glycerol for its laxative effects is relevant to the digestive system.
More about the Digestive System:
This section includes pages about:
- Introduction to the Digestive System
- Terminology about Digestion
- Passage through the alimentary tract
- Component Parts of the Digestive System, incl. Teeth, Stomach, Liver, Small Intestine, Large Intestine
- Chemical Processes in the Digestive System (introductory level)
- Diseases and Disorders of the Digestive System
For further information see also our pages of books about gastroenterology.
