Gastrointestinal tract
hideThe digestive tract is the system of organs within multicellular animals that takes in food, digests it to extract energy and nutrients, and expels the remaining matter. The major function of the gastrointestinal tract are ingestion, digestion, absorption, and defecation. The GI tract differs substantially from animal to animal. Some animals have multi-chambered stomachs, while some animals' stomachs contain a single box. In a human adult male, the GI tract is approximately 6.5 meters (20 feet) long and consists of the upper and lower GI tracts. The tract may also be divided into foregut, midgut, and hindgut, reflecting the embryological origin of each segment of the tract.
The remainder of this article focuses on human gastrointestinal anatomy; see digestion for the process in other organisms.
For more information about Gastrointestinal tract, read the full article at
Wikipedia.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.
News tagged with gastrointestinal tract
Factors from common human bacteria may trigger multiple sclerosis
Nov 24, 2009 |
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Current research suggests that a common oral bacterium may exacerbate autoimmune disease. The related report by Nichols et al, "Unique Lipids from a Common Human Bacterium Represent a New Class of TLR2 Ligands Capable of ...
Engineer designs micro-endoscope to seek out early signs of cancer
Nov 19, 2009 |
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Traditional endoscopes provide a peek inside patients' bodies. Now, a University of Florida engineering researcher is designing ones capable of a full inspection.
Largest gene study of childhood IBD identifies 5 new genes
Nov 15, 2009 |
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In the largest, most comprehensive genetic analysis of childhood-onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), an international research team has identified five new gene regions, including one involved in a biological pathway ...
Long-term statin use associated with decreased risk of gallstones requiring surgery
Nov 10, 2009 |
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Use of the cholesterol-lowering drugs statins for more than a year is associated with a reduced risk of having gallstones requiring surgery, according to a study in the November 11 issue of JAMA.
Fecal DNA methylation detects gastric and colorectal cancers
Aug 21, 2009 |
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A preliminary evaluation of methylation of two gene promoters in fecal DNA showed promise as a noninvasive method to detect colorectal and gastric cancers, according to a new study published online August 21 in the Journal of ...
Endoscopy within 24 hours shows better outcomes in elderly with peptic ulcer bleeding
Aug 18, 2009 |
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A new study shows that elderly patients who underwent endoscopy within one day of presentation for peptic ulcer bleeding had a two-day shorter hospital stay and were less likely to require upper gastrointestinal surgery than ...
Curcumin May be Viable Supplement to Treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Jul 27, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- Turmeric - the key ingredient in curry - has been used in India for thousands of years to help treat colds, inflammation, arthritis and even cancer.
Study finds survival rates from gastrointestinal tumors improving among African-Americans
Jul 14, 2009 |
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New research published in the July issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons reveals that African Americans with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), a rare cancer that begins in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract, ...
Electronic pill shows its smarts by measuring pH levels in digestive tract
Jun 03, 2009 |
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An electronic diagnostic tool called the SmartPill is swallowed by patients in order to take measurements as it travels through the gastrointestinal tract. A new study by physician-scientists at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill ...
Stem Cell Research Made Safer with Latest Discovery
May 15, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- A new development in stem cell research has resulted from a completed study by a collaboration of scientists using the drug Rapamycin to inhibit mTOR, an intracellular protein necessary in cell proliferation. ...
Genetic mutations identified that suggest link between type 1 diabetes and common viral infection
Mar 05, 2009 |
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Scientists from Cambridge University have discovered four rare mutations of a gene associated with type 1 diabetes (T1D) that reduce the risk of developing the disease. Their findings, published today in the journal Science Expres ...
Certain combined medications following heart attack may increase risk of death
Medicine & Health / Medications
Mar 03, 2009 |
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Following an acute coronary syndrome such as a heart attack or unstable angina, patients who receive a medication to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding that may be associated with the use of the antiplatelet drug ...
New gene-searching method uncovers possible new targets for Crohn's disease drugs
Feb 26, 2009 |
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Discovering the different genes that contribute to a complex disease is like searching in the proverbial haystack for an unknown number of needles--some much smaller than others, often blending into the background, and many ...
Study hints at new approaches to prevent transplant rejection
Feb 11, 2009 |
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To prevent the rejection of newly transplanted organs and cells, patients must take medicines that weaken their entire immune systems. Such potentially life-saving treatments can, paradoxically, leave those receiving them ...
Inflammation directly linked to colon cancer
Feb 02, 2009 |
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While chronic inflammation is widely believed to be a predisposing factor for colon cancer, the exact mechanisms linking these conditions have remained elusive. Scientists at the Melbourne Branch of the international Ludwig ...
