ASGE Recognized Industry Associate (ARIA) Training Program OPEN | March 2024-GI Tract in Health_Esophagus

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The gastrointestinal tract plays a vital role in digestion, involving organs like the esophagus and stomach. Digestion is the process of breaking down food into smaller components for the body to absorb nutrients essential for growth and metabolism. Mechanisms of digestion include mechanical actions like chewing and peristalsis, as well as chemical actions involving saliva, gastric acid, enzymes, and bile. The journey of digestion starts in the mouth, where chewing and saliva production begin the breakdown of food. The esophagus is a muscular tube that transports food to the stomach, aided by peristalsis and segmentation. The stomach acts as a reservoir where food mixes with acid and enzymes for further breakdown before being released into the small intestine for absorption. The stomach has various parts and layers, including mucosa, muscularis, and serosa, all playing a role in digestion. The gastroesophageal junction, where the esophagus meets the stomach, contains a sphincter that prevents backflow of stomach acid. Understanding the anatomy and physiology of the gastrointestinal tract is essential for comprehending the process of digestion and how nutrients are absorbed by the body.

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Ayokunle Abegunde, MD, MSc, MRCGP, FACP

Keywords

gastrointestinal tract

digestion

esophagus

stomach

mechanical actions

chemical actions

saliva

gastric acid

enzymes

bile