1. Breaks down food Absorption and reabsorption of water and other nutrients Eliminates waste

2. GI tract: “tube” from mouth to anus Esophagus Stomach Small Intestine Large Intestine Rectum Anus Accessory digestive organs Teeth Tongue Salivary glands Liver Gallbladder Pancreas

3. Esophagus: passageway for food into the stomach Stomach: saclike structure; chemical and mechanical digestion Small Intestine: completes digestion; absorption of nutrients into body* Large Intestine: absorption of water and minerals; eliminate indigestible material Rectum: part of large intestine; last part of GI tract Anus: terminates GI tract; passage of stool Teeth: mechanical breakdown of food Tongue: food manipulation, taste, swallowing

4. Salivary Glands: production of enzymes to begin breakdown of food Liver: production of bile; removal of glucose (sugar) from blood; vitamin storage; destruction/transformation of toxic products; maintenance of blood glucose levels; destruction of erythrocytes and release of bilirubin; production of blood proteins that aid in clotting of blood Gallbladder: storage of bile Pancreas: provides digestive juices; functions outside of digestive system as well

6. Ulcers: open lesion of mucosa in GI tract; most common in stomach or duodenum; treated with antibiotics and antacids Ulcerative Colitis: inflammation of colon with formation of ulcers in lining of intestine; characterized by frequent, watery stools Hernia: protrusion of organ through wall of cavity in which it is contained; most common in GI tract and may develop in the diaphragm or through the opening where the esophagus passes through the diaphragm; in the groin, at the umbilicus

7. Bowel Obstruction: many causes including the bowel twisting in on itself, “telescoping” (intussusception) of intestine Hemorrhoids: caused by enlargement of veins in the mucous membrane of anal canal; can be internal or external; result of pressure on the veins from either straining to pass stool, pushing during childbirth or a tumor large enough to produce pressure Liver Disorders: hepatitis: viral, alcoholic, idiopathic; cirrhossis; often seen with overuse of alcohol; jaundice is a common sign; generally not curable Diverticulosis/itis: small pockets develop on walls of large intestine and usually do not cause problems; if they become infected and/or inflamed, the condition is referred to as diverticulitis; treatment ranges from antibiotic regimen to partial colectomy to partial colectomy with placement of colostomy