Definition: The "gastrointestinal tract" (often abbreviated as GI tract) is a long tube in your body that starts at your mouth and goes all the way to your anus. It is about 8.3 meters (or roughly 27 feet) long. This tube is made up of soft tissues called mucous membranes and muscles. The main job of the gastrointestinal tract is to help digest food and remove waste from your body.
In medical discussions, you might hear terms like "gastrointestinal disorders," which refer to problems that affect the GI tract, such as ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, or Crohn's disease.
Gastrointestinal (adjective): Relating to the gastrointestinal tract.
Gastroenterology (noun): The branch of medicine that focuses on the gastrointestinal tract and its disorders.
While "gastrointestinal tract" specifically refers to the digestive system, the prefix "gastro-" usually relates to the stomach, and "intestinal" relates to the intestines.
There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "gastrointestinal tract," but you might encounter phrases like: - "Trust your gut": This means to follow your instincts or feelings. - "In a pickle": While not directly related to the GI tract, this phrase means to be in a difficult situation, which can sometimes be caused by poor digestion or food choices.