Gastrointestinals

Gastrointestinals refers to the system within the body responsible for digesting food, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating waste. This complex system comprises several organs, including the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus. It also includes accessory organs like the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder, which produce or store digestive enzymes and bile. The process begins in the mouth with chewing and saliva, where food is broken down mechanically and chemically. It then travels down the esophagus to the stomach, a muscular organ that churns food and mixes it with acids and enzymes. From the stomach, partially digested food moves into the small intestine, the primary site for nutrient absorption. Here, enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver and gallbladder further break down food into absorbable molecules. The remaining indigestible material then passes into the large intestine, where water is absorbed, and waste is formed. Finally, waste is stored in the rectum before being eliminated from the body through the anus. Disorders affecting this system are broadly categorized as gastrointestinal diseases and can range from common issues like indigestion and heartburn to more serious conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, ulcers, and cancers.