GIT (mouth to anus)

Main Function:

• To regulate the intake, processing and absorption of ingested nutrients and disposal of waste products.
• Several specific processes occur during the passage of food - movement (due to peristalsis of the gut), secretion, digestion, absorption and excretion
• All these processes must work well in order for the gut to achieve its ultimate role in the nutritional state of the body

Main functions of specific components:

• Oesophagus - Conduit between oral cavity and stomach
• Stomach - Storage, acid and pepsin secretion for early digestion
• Small bowel - Most of the action happens here. Digestion (enzymes provided by pancreas; bile acids for fat emulsification provided by liver) and absorption of nutrients.
• Colon - Storage of digested material, small amount of water absorption