RT Book, Section A1 Burke-Doe, Annie A2 Burke-Doe, Annie A2 Dutton, Mark SR Print(0) ID 1202330225 T1 Gastrointestinal System T2 National Physical Therapy Examination and Board Review, 2nd Edition YR 2023 FD 2023 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9781265019747 LK accessphysiotherapy.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1202330225 RD 2024/09/18 AB The gastrointestinal (GI) tract serves to transport food and absorb nutrients to sustain life. The main functions of the GI tract include the digestion of food, absorption of nutrients, and elimination of waste.* Pathologic conditions affecting the GI system result from the impairment of these functions. Malignancies in the GI tract, specifically the colon, are common conditions that affect this system. The most common signs and symptoms associated with GI disease include the following: (1) chest and/or abdominal pain, (2) disturbances in food ingestion (possibly due to vomiting, nausea, difficulty or painful swallowing, or anorexia),1 (3) alteration in bowel movements (constipation or diarrhea), and (4) bleeding in the GI tract. The anatomy of the GI system is shown in Figure 6–1. Table 6–1 summarizes the selected GI pathologies discussed in this chapter. Table 6–2 identifies organs associated with abdominal quadrants.