digestive tract
Alimentary canal system
The digestive tract is the continuous tube through which food passes as it is broken down and absorbed by the body.
It runs from mouth to anus and includes the esophagus, stomach, and intestines.
The term is often used interchangeably with gastrointestinal tract or alimentary canal, though technically the digestive system also includes organs like the liver and pancreas that aid digestion without food passing through them.
Food tube to stomach
- stomachDigestive organ below chest
- duodenumInitial small intestine
- jejunumSecond small intestine portion
- ileumLast small intestine segment
colon · rectum · anus · pharynx · small intestine · large intestine · cecum · appendix
Body's microbial community
- gut floraIntestinal microbial community
- probioticsLive microorganisms aiding digestion
- prebioticsFood for gut flora
- colonoscopyLarge intestine examination
endoscopy · ulcerative colitis · Crohn's disease · irritable bowel syndrome · GERD · gastritis · leaky gut · polyps
Involuntary digestive muscle waves
- absorptionProcess of taking in
- masticationTeeth-based food breakdown
- swallowingIngesting via throat muscles
- chymePartially digested stomach contents
bolus · segmentation · motility · transit · propulsion · churning · breakdown · hydrolysis
Reaction-speeding proteins
- amylaseStarch-digesting enzyme
- lipaseFat-dissolving enzyme
- proteaseProtein-cleaving enzyme
- pepsinGastric protein-cleaving enzyme
trypsin · bile · hydrochloric acid · gastric juice · mucus · bicarbonate · lactase · maltase
Plant-based digestive aid
- nutrientsVital dietary substances
- amino acidsOrganic compounds forming proteins
- fatty acidsOrganic molecules in fats
- glucosePrimary cellular fuel
vitamins · minerals · carbohydrates · proteins · fats · water absorption · electrolytes · macronutrients
esophagus
Food tube to stomach
- stomachDigestive organ below chest
- duodenumInitial small intestine
- jejunumSecond small intestine portion
ileum · colon · rectum · anus · pharynx · small intestine · large intestine · cecum · appendix · sigmoid
microbiome
Body's microbial community
- gut floraIntestinal microbial community
- probioticsLive microorganisms aiding digestion
- prebioticsFood for gut flora
colonoscopy · endoscopy · ulcerative colitis · Crohn's disease · irritable bowel syndrome · GERD · gastritis · leaky gut · polyps · diverticulitis
peristalsis
Involuntary digestive muscle waves
- absorptionProcess of taking in
- masticationTeeth-based food breakdown
- swallowingIngesting via throat muscles
chyme · bolus · segmentation · motility · transit · propulsion · churning · breakdown · hydrolysis · emulsification
enzymes
Reaction-speeding proteins
pepsin · trypsin · bile · hydrochloric acid · gastric juice · mucus · bicarbonate · lactase · maltase · sucrase
fiber
Plant-based digestive aid
- nutrientsVital dietary substances
- amino acidsOrganic compounds forming proteins
- fatty acidsOrganic molecules in fats
glucose · vitamins · minerals · carbohydrates · proteins · fats · water absorption · electrolytes · macronutrients · micronutrients
- animal anatomyskull, teeth, ears, eyes, nose
- body passagesmouth, nose, ear, nostril, anus
- innardsviscera, entrails, innards, insides, guts
- insect anatomyabdomen, antennae, thorax, exoskeleton, head
- seed dispersaldispersal, seed dispersal, burrs, samara, tumbleweeds
- tractspamphlet, brochure, leaflet, booklet, parcel
digestive tractcirculatory system
Heart, vessels, blood together
cardiovascular system · respiratory system · respiratory tract · nervous system · lymphatic system
digest, tract, digestion, indigestion, digestive, digestible, digests, digestibility, predigestion