ASGE Recognized Industry Associate (ARIA) Training Program for Regeneron and Sanofi | June 2023-GI Tract in Health

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The document provides an overview of the gastrointestinal tract, specifically focusing on the esophagus and stomach. The gastrointestinal tract, also known as the alimentary or digestive tract, is a continuous tube that starts at the mouth and ends at the anus. Its functions include the digestion of food into nutrients, the absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream, and the elimination of solid waste.<br /><br />The digestive organs associated with the gastrointestinal tract include the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, gallbladder, liver, small intestine, and large intestine.<br /><br />The esophagus is a hollow muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach and is responsible for transporting saliva and food. It is vertically oriented and slightly left of the median, passing across the left side of the aortic arch and descending along the right side of the aorta. It has four distinct layers: mucosa, submucosa, muscular, and outer fibrous.<br /><br />The stomach is a J-shaped reservoir of the digestive tract that mixes food with acid and enzymes to break it down. It has different parts, including the fundus, body, pylorus, antrum, and cardia. The stomach mucosa contains rugae, which are gastric folds that allow for expansion. The stomach also has three muscle layers: longitudinal, circular, and oblique.<br /><br />Motility is a key component of digestion, involving muscular movements of the GI tract that propel food forward (via peristalsis) or mix it with simultaneous contractions (via segmentation). The enteric nervous system, which consists of over 100 million neurons, plays a crucial role in gastrointestinal motility.<br /><br />The document also mentions the transient relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, which can lead to acid reflux, and the antireflux barrier.<br /><br />Overall, the information provided in the document gives an introductory understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the esophagus and stomach within the gastrointestinal tract.

Asset Subtitle

Jenifer Lightdale, MD, MPH, FASGE

Keywords

gastrointestinal tract

esophagus

stomach

digestion

absorption

pancreas

liver

small intestine

large intestine

motility