🏥 Medical Encyclopedia
PremiumGastroenterology
Human digestive system
Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine focused on the digestive system and its disorders, including the esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.
🍽️ Key Fact: The human gastrointestinal tract is about 30 feet (9 meters) long and contains approximately 100 trillion bacteria.
Digestive System Components
- Upper GI: Mouth, esophagus, stomach, duodenum
- Lower GI: Small intestine, large intestine (colon), rectum, anus
- Accessory Organs: Liver, gallbladder, pancreas
Common GI Disorders
| Disorder | Description | Prevalence |
|---|---|---|
| GERD | Acid reflux disease | 20% of adults |
| IBS | Irritable Bowel Syndrome | 10-15% globally |
| Inflammatory Bowel Disease | Crohn's, Ulcerative Colitis | 6.8 million |
| Hepatitis | Liver inflammation | 300 million (chronic) |
| Gallstones | Cholelithiasis | 20% of adults |
GI Diagnostics
- Endoscopy: Visual examination of the upper GI tract
- Colonoscopy: Visual examination of the colon
- Liver Function Tests: Blood tests for liver health
- Stool Analysis: Detect infections and bleeding
- Abdominal Ultrasound: Imaging of abdominal organs