Alimentary System

Synonyms

digestive system

Description

The human gastrointestinal tract refers to the stomach and intestine, and sometimes to all the structures from the mouth to the anus. (The "digestive system" is a broader term that includes other structures, including the accessory organs of digestion) [Source: Wikipedia].

Structure

Changes associated with this tissue

Due to the potentially large amount of high-throughput molecular changes these have been excluded below. You can view the full list of 113 changes through the filter results page.

Physiological (40) View on results page

Atrophy of all four layers of large intestine Atrophy of mucosal lining in small intestine Blood flow to liver decreases Calcium absorption in intestine decreases Chromosome deletions, duplications, and gene conversion events accumulate with age Decreased function of epithelial barriers Decrease in amplitude of peristaltic pressure wave in upper esophogeal sphincter Decrease in number of acinar cells Deficiencies in generating secondary peristaltic contractions Dental wear and tear Diminishing of glandular secretions D-xylose absorption decreases Dysphagia incidence increases Enteric neuron loss Esophageal acid contact time increased Exocrine pancreatic function unchanged Gastric lipase and bile acid secretion decreases Gastric secretions diminish Increase in adverse effects on salivary gland by anticholinergics Increase in amplitude and duration of peristaltic pressure wave in hypopharyngeal sphincter Increase in IgA Increase in incidence of diverticulosis Lipid absorption and solubilization decreases Loss of liver regeneration with age Migrating motor complex is prolonged Mosaic abnormalities increase Mouth becomes drier Myenteric plexus neuron number decreases Nonadrenergic innervation of myenteric plexus decreases Pancreatic Beta-cell replication decrease Peristaltic amplitude is diminished Postprandial serum bile acids decrease Reduction in small intestine absorption rate Responsiveness of cholinergic receptors is decreased Resting and squeeze pressures in anal canal decrease Slowing down of peristaltic motion in alimentary canal Threshold sensational level for rectal filling increase Variability in clearance of hepatically metabolized drugs Weakening of intestinal wall Weaker digestive tract muscle contractions

Molecular (2; 57 in total) View on results page

Changes from high-throughput approaches are excluded but can be viewed on the results page.

Increase in IgA and IgM telomere shortening

Pathological (14) View on results page

Cancer of colon, rectum and anus Cancer of esophagus Cancer of lip, oral cavity, and pharynx Cancer of liver and intrahepatic bile ducts Cholelithiasis and other disorders of gallbladders Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis Diabetes mellitus Edentulism (Tooth Loss) (Female) Edentulism (Tooth Loss) (Male) More severe manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease Pancreatic cancer Peptic ulcer Stomach cancer Viral hepatitis