Gastrointestinal
Gastrointestinal refers to the system of organs that play a crucial role in the digestion and absorption of food. This system includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus. The liver, pancreas, and gallbladder are also part of this system as they produce enzymes and bile that help in digestion.
Anatomy of the Gastrointestinal System[edit | edit source]
The gastrointestinal system starts from the mouth, where food is ingested and initial digestion begins with the help of saliva. The food then travels down the esophagus and into the stomach, where it is broken down further by stomach acid. The partially digested food then moves into the small intestine, where most of the digestion and absorption of nutrients occur. The remaining undigested food material then moves into the large intestine, where water and electrolytes are absorbed. Finally, the waste material is expelled from the body through the rectum and anus.
Functions of the Gastrointestinal System[edit | edit source]
The primary function of the gastrointestinal system is to digest food and absorb nutrients. This is achieved through a series of processes including ingestion, digestion, absorption, and defecation. The system also plays a role in the immune response as the gut contains a large number of immune cells.
Diseases of the Gastrointestinal System[edit | edit source]
There are many diseases and disorders that can affect the gastrointestinal system. These include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcer disease, gallstones, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, cancer of the gastrointestinal tract, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Treatment of Gastrointestinal Diseases[edit | edit source]
Treatment of gastrointestinal diseases depends on the specific disease and its severity. It may involve lifestyle changes, medication, or in some cases, surgery. For example, GERD can often be managed with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications, while severe cases of Crohn's disease may require surgery.
See Also[edit | edit source]
| Gastrointestinal Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
