The gastrointestinal organs include the gut from mouth to anus and associated digestive organs such as the liver and pancreases.

The diagram below is accompanied by pictures of some of the organs seen at laparoscopy and endoscopy.

In brief food enters via the mouth passes down the oesophagus (gullet) through the chest into the stomach in the abdomen. From here the food is slowly released into the small intestine via the duodenum. Bile from the liver and pancreatic juices used in the digestion of food are added in the duodenum. Food is digested and nutrients absorbed in the small bowel. Unabsorbed waist is passed into the colon where water is absorbed prior to passage of faeces via the anus.

Click on images below to enlarge.