mahasuolikanavan

The mahasuolikanava, known in English as the gastrointestinal or digestive tract, is a continuous organ system responsible for digestion, absorption of nutrients, and elimination of waste. In Finnish terminology, it encompasses the tube from the mouth to the anus and includes the major mucosal surfaces and their associated glands and ducts that aid digestion.

Anatomy and sections

The tract is traditionally divided into the upper and lower segments. The upper segment includes the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, and stomach, where mechanical breakdown and chemical digestion begin. The lower segment comprises the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum) and the large intestine (cecum, colon, rectum). Accessory organs—the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder—produce bile and digestive enzymes essential for breaking down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. The tract is supplied with blood, nerves, and lymphatics, and is lined by a mucosal surface specialized for absorption.

Physiology

Digestive processes involve mechanical movements (chewing and peristalsis) and chemical digestion (saliva, gastric acid, enzymes, bile). Most nutrient absorption occurs in the small intestine, while the large intestine primarily absorbs water and electrolytes and forms feces. The enteric nervous system coordinates motility and secretion, with hormonal signals modulating digestion.

Clinical relevance

Common conditions affecting the mahasuolikanava include gastroesophageal reflux disease, peptic ulcers, inflammatory bowel diseases, celiac disease, and colorectal cancer. Diagnostic tools such as endoscopy and colonoscopy assess the tract, while treatments range from dietary adjustments and medications to surgical interventions.