Anatomy of the Digestive System Figure (Figure 24.2). Reprinted from OpenStax Microbiology (p. 981), by N. Parker, M. Shneegurt, A.-h. Thi Tu, B. M. Forester, and P. Lister, 2016, Rice University. Copyright 2016 by Rice University.

Anatomy of the Digestive System Figure

Organs that are not part of the digestive tract but contribute to its functioning, such as by secreting substances that aid in digestion. Some such organs include:

- Salivary glands
- Liver
- Gallbladder
- Spleen
- Pancreas

Accessory Digestive Organs

The mouth, or oral cavity, serves as the first step in food processing, with its parts contributing to both mechanical and chemical digestion before passing the food along to the GI tract. Some parts of the digestive system include:

- Tongue
- Teeth
- Lips
- Gums
- Salivary glands

(Photo credits in References)

Oral Cavity

Oral Cavity -> Pharynx -> Esophagus -> Stomach -> Small Intestine (First Part: Duodenum)-> Large Intestine/Colon (Last Part: Rectum-> Anus

Pathway of Digestion

Some parts of the digestive system include:

- Mouth/Oral cavity
- Accessory Digestive Organs
- Pharynx
- Esophagus 
- Stomach
- Small Intestine
- Large Intestine
- Rectum 
- Anus

(Photo credits in References)

University of Notre Dame

The digestive system, or gastrointestinal (GI) tract, helps the body digest and process food, starting with the mouth and ending at the anus. The digestive system is vulnerable to pathogenic attacks, hence GI diseases are quite common. Such diseases include those caused by infection or intoxication, the former often being caused by contaminated food and water.

Digestive System

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Anatomy of the Digestive System

Despite defenses against them, some microbes continue to inhabit the mouth which can lead to diseases and infections including:

- Dental Caries
- Peridontal Disease
- Oral Thrush
- Herpetic Gingivostomatitis
- Mumps

Microbial Infections of the Mouth and Oral Cavity

Common bacterial infections of the GI tract include:

- Staphylococcal Food Poisoning
- Shigellosis (Bacillary Dysentery)
- Salmonellosis
- Typhoid Fever
- *E. coli* Infections
- Cholera and Other Vibrios
- Campylobacter jejuni Gastroenteritis
- Peptic Ulcers
- Clostridium perfingens Gasteroenteritis
- Antibiotic-associated diarrhea
- Foodborne Illness Due to Bacillus cereus
- Foodborne Illness Due to Yersinia

Bacterial Infections of the Gastrointestinal Tract

Some viral infections of the GI tract include:

- Gastroenteritis
- Hepatitis

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