Barsak

Barsak is the Turkish term for the intestines, the digestive tract between the stomach and the anus. In humans it comprises the small intestine and the large intestine, which together perform digestion, absorption of nutrients and water, and the formation and elimination of waste. The barsak also plays a key role in immune defense through the gut-associated lymphoid tissue and the resident microbiota.

The small intestine is a roughly 6-meter-long tube where most chemical digestion and nutrient absorption occur. It consists of the duodenum, the jejunum, and the ileum. The inner surface is folded and lined with villi and microvilli, increasing the absorptive area. Enzymes from the intestinal mucosa, along with bile acids and pancreatic secretions, break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Most nutrients are absorbed in the jejunum and ileum, with bile acids reabsorbed in the ileum.

The large intestine absorbs water and electrolytes and forms feces. It includes the cecum, colon, and rectum, and hosts a complex microbiota that participates in fermentation and vitamin production. The appendix is a small pouch at the junction of the ileum and cecum and is commonly considered part of the large intestine; it is also involved in immune functions.

The barsak is supplied by mesenteric blood vessels and drained into the portal venous system. It is innervated by the enteric nervous system, with modulation from the autonomic nervous system. Clinical issues affecting the barsak include inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, infections, celiac disease, obstruction, and appendicitis.