ASGE Recognized Industry Associate (ARIA) Training Program OPEN | March 2023-2_GI Tract in Health_Esophagus

2_GI Tract in Health_Esophagus_Stomach

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The digestive system is made up of various organs, including the esophagus and stomach, which play important roles in digestion. Digestion is the process by which food is broken down into smaller components, allowing the body to absorb nutrients and minerals. This process is necessary for growth, metabolism, body maintenance, and reproduction.<br /><br />Mechanical and chemical mechanisms are involved in digestion. Mechanical mechanisms include mastication, peristalsis (which propels food forward through contractions), and segmentation (which mixes food with contractions). Chemical mechanisms involve the release of saliva, gastric acid, pancreatic enzymes, and bile.<br /><br />The process of digestion involves three main steps. Motility, which refers to the muscular movements of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, includes peristalsis and segmentation. Secretion involves the release of acid and enzymes that mix with food. Absorption occurs when nutrients and water are absorbed by the GI tract into the bloodstream.<br /><br />The journey through digestion begins in the mouth, where food is mechanically broken down through chewing. Saliva, produced by salivary glands, helps with swallowing and initiates carbohydrate digestion. The esophagus is a hollow muscular tube that transports saliva and food from the mouth to the stomach. It consists of different layers, including mucosa and muscle.<br /><br />The gastroesophageal junction is where the esophagus meets the stomach and is marked by the lower esophageal sphincter, which relaxes with swallows and contracts to prevent backflow of stomach acid and food into the esophagus.<br /><br />The stomach is a J-shaped reservoir that mixes food with acid and enzymes to further break it down. Partially digested food is released into the small intestine. The stomach has different parts, including the fundus, body, greater curvature, lesser curvature, pylorus, antrum, lower esophageal sphincter, and cardia. It has layers of mucosa and muscularis, and its acid secretion is regulated by various cells and hormones.<br /><br />Overall, the esophagus and stomach are essential organs in the digestive system, contributing to the breakdown and processing of food.

Keywords

digestive system

esophagus

stomach

digestion

mechanical mechanisms

chemical mechanisms

motility

secretion

absorption

gastroesophageal junction