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gastrointestinal tract
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human digestive system
human digestive system The human digestive system as seen from the front.

gastrointestinal tract

anatomy
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Also known as: alimentary canal, alimentary tract, digestive tract, gut
Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
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Last Updated: • Article History
Also called:
digestive tract
Or:
alimentary canal
Related Topics:
stomach
mouth
esophagus
pharynx
intestine

gastrointestinal tract, pathway by which food enters the body and solid wastes are expelled. The gastrointestinal tract includes the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anus. See digestion.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Adam Augustyn.