Significance of Gastrointestinal Tract
The gastrointestinal tract is a complex organ system responsible for digestion and absorption of nutrients in both humans and animals. In Ayurveda, it is linked to various health conditions, while science emphasizes its role in transporting and absorbing food and medications. It includes vital components like the stomach and intestines and is affected by factors such as pH, motility, and diseases. The gastrointestinal tract is integral to processes like drug bioavailability and can be impacted by toxic substances and medications.
Synonyms: Digestive tract, Digestive system, Alimentary canal, Gut, Intestinal tract, Gastrointestinal system, Gi tract
In Dutch: Maag-darmkanaal; In Finnish: Ruoansulatuskanava; In Spanish: Tracto gastrointestinal
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Gastrointestinal Tract'
In Hinduism, the Gastrointestinal Tract symbolizes the digestive system's role in health, highlighting its effect on well-being, the flow of morbid matter during purgation, and its connection to conditions like Gulma.
From: Charaka Samhita (English translation)
(1) The digestive system where various types of worms and diseases may inhabit, affecting overall health.[1] (2) The portion of the digestive system primarily affected by the manifestations of Gulma.[2] (3) The part of the digestive system where the morbid matter flows towards during the purgation process.[3] (4) The part of the body where morbid matter is propelled towards, aided by the action of Udana Vata.[4]
The concept of Gastrointestinal Tract in scientific sources
The Gastrointestinal Tract is crucial for drug absorption, digestion, disease assessment, and specific treatments, also linking to conditions like Enterobius vermicularis infestation and Ama generation, impacting overall health and digestion.
From: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
(1) This is the location where the duplication cyst can occur, and to qualify as such, it needs to have a lining with the gastrointestinal mucosa, attachment to the gastrointestinal tract, and a smooth muscle coat.[5] (2) This is the part of the body that eosinophilic gastroenteritis can affect. Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is an uncommon disease, and it can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract.[6] (3) The gastrointestinal tract, or GIT, is the origin of gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumours, which include gastrointestinal stromal tumours, leiomyomas or leiomyosarcomas, and submucosal schwannomas.[7] (4) This is a part of the digestive system, and some researchers have documented an association of JCV with human cancers including cancers of this.[8] (5) This is the area of the body, where morphological changes can lead to pseudoneoplasms, which is a concerning outcome of the gut’s response to injury.[9]