HUMAN GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT

The human gastrointestinal tract refers to

the stomach and intestine, and sometimes to
all the structures from the mouth to the anus.
(The "digestive system" is a broader term
that includes other structures, including
the accessory organs of digestion). In an
adult male human, the gastrointestinal (GI)
tract is 5 metres (20 ft) long in a live subject,
or up to 9 metres (30 ft) without the effect
of muscle tone, and consists of the upper
and lower GI tracts. The tract may also be
divided into foregut, midgut, and hindgut,
reflecting the embryological origin of each
segment of the tract.

The GI tract releases hormones to help

regulate the digestion process. These
hormones include gastrin, secretin,
cholecystokinin, and grehlin, are mediated through either intracrine or autocrine
mechanisms, indicating that the cells releasing these hormones are conserved
structures throughout evolution

UPPER GASTOINTESTINAL TRACT

The upper gastrointestinal tract consists of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.

Some sources also include the mouth cavity and pharynx.

The exact demarcation between "upper" and "lower" can vary. Upon gross dissection,
the duodenum may appear to be a unified organ, but it is often divided into two parts
based upon function, arterial supply, or embryology.
LOWER GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT

The lower gastrointestinal tract includes most of the small intestine and all of the large
intestine. According to some sources, it also includes the anus.

Bowel or intestine

 Small intestine, which has three parts:

 Duodenum - Here the digestive juices from pancreas (digestive
enzymes) and gallbladder (bile) mix together. The digestive enzymes break
down proteins and bile emulsifies fats into micelles. Duodenum
contains Brunner's glands which produce bicarbonate and pancreatic juice
contains bicarbonate to neutralize hydrochloric acid of stomach
 Jejunum - It is the midsection of the intestine, connecting
duodenum to ileum. Contain plicae circulares, and villi to increase surface
area.
 Ileum - It has villi, where all soluble molecules are absorbed into the
blood (capillaries and lacteals).
 Large intestine, which has three parts:
 Cecum (the vermiform appendix is attached to the cecum).
 Colon (ascending colon, transverse colon, descending
colon and sigmoid flexure). The main function of colon is to absorb water, but
it also contains bacteria that produce beneficial vitamins like Vitamin K.
 Rectum
 Anus
The ligament of Treitz is sometimes used to divide the upper and lower GI tracts.

IMMUNE FUNCTION

The gastrointestinal tract also is a prominent part of the immune system. The surface
area of the digestive tract is estimated to be the surface area of a football field. With
such a large exposure, the immune system must work hard to prevent pathogens from
entering into blood and lymph. The low pH (ranging from 1 to 4) of the stomach is fatal
for many microorganisms that enter it. Similarly, mucus (containing IgA antibodies)
neutralizes many of these microorganisms. Other factors in the GI tract help with
immune function as well, including enzymes in saliva andbile. 
Enzymes such as Cyp3A4, along with the antiporter activities, also are instrumental in
the intestine's role of detoxification of antigensand xenobiotics, such as drugs, involved
in first pass metabolism.

Health-enhancing intestinal bacteria serve to prevent the overgrowth of potentially

harmful bacteria in the gut. These two types of bacteria compete for space and "food,"
as there is limited resources within the intestinal tract. A ratio of 80-85% beneficial to
15-20% potentially harmful bacteria generally is considered normal within the intestines.
Microorganisms also are kept at bay by an extensive immune system comprising
the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT).