Biology of Disease

',,

X]VeiZg&&/

DISORDERS OF THE

GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT, PANCREAS,

LIVER AND GALL BLADDER

11.1 Introduction

The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is essentially a long tube extending from the
mouth to the anus with a number of specialized regions. Most of the nutrients
(Chapter 10) in food have to be digested before they can be assimilated.
Digestion involves the hydrolysis of polysaccharides, oligosaccharides, pro-
teins and lipids in enzyme-catalyzed reactions. The products of hydrolysis,
such as monosaccharides, amino acids, free fatty acids and monoacylglycerols,
can then be absorbed. Some nutrients, vitamins and minerals for instance, are
absorbed without the need for digestion. The digestion of food and absorp-
tion of the released nutrients are the major functions of the GIT together with
its accessory organs, the pancreas, liver and gall bladder. The peritoneum
lines the abdominal cavity and covers the major organs. Folds of the perito-
neum, called the mesentery, and mesocolon hold the intestines in place. The
GIT has significant roles in the homeostasis of nutrients and in protecting
the body against pathogens (Chapter 2) ingested with the food. Digestion and
absorption, can, of course, only take place after ingestion of food, unlike the
homeostatic and protective functions that operate continuously.

OBJECTIVES

After studying this chapter you should be able to:

N outline the structure of the gastrointestinal tract and its accessory organs;

N describe the processes involved in the digestion of foods;

N outline the process whereby nutrients are absorbed by the gastrointestinal

tract;

N review the role of the small intestine in homeostasis;

N explain the causes of some pancreatic, liver and gall bladder disorders;

N describe some common gastrointestinal tract disorders.