Gastroenterology

The length of the digestive tract, which can be depicted as a continuous tube that extends from the mouth to the anus, is about 5-7 meters. The Digestive system breaks down (digests) food into particles that can be absorbed by our body to be used by body cells. Parts of the digestive tracts are also responsible for absorbing nutrients, vitamins and minerals as well as eliminating waste from the body. The digestive tract is exposed to the quite aggressive environment and so is prone to variety of disorders.

Topics:  Digestive System  |  Medical Anatomy and Physiology  |  Disease