Beginning with an exploration of digestion at the cellular level, this volume of the Encyclopedia of the Human Body discusses the parts of the digestive system and how they work together and interact with other major body systems. The upper and lower gastrointestinal tract and accessory organs, such as the gall bladder and liver, are covered. The endocrine, circulatory, and lymphatic system are discussed in relation to the digestive system. The history of the research on the digestive system is presented and the future of research in this field is considered. Basic principles of human nutrition and it relates to the digestive system are explored. Digestive system disorders, symptoms and treatments are discussed, including colon cancer, ulcers, hepatitis, and diabetes. This reference concludes with a comprehensive glossary, recognized sources of nutritional information, and resources for further information including Web sites and contact information for organizations and national health institutions.

The set provides a complete, comprehensive reference source for students interested in the human body. Each book within this ten-volume set introduces and describes a specific body system, including the parts and function of each system, the history of discovery, related diseases and treatments, as well as future advances in research. Detailed illustrations and diagrams, including an eight-page color insert, provide a visual reference for written material.

This book is part of a book series called Human Body Systems .

This book is aimed at the following children: secondary school , university .

There are 224 pages in this book. This book was published 2004 by ABC-CLIO .

MICHAEL WINDELSPECHT is Assistant Professor of Biology at Appalachian State University. He is the author of two books in Greenwood's Groundbreaking Scientific Experiments, Inventions, and Discoveries through the Ages series, author of The Digestive System , coauthor of The Lymphatic System , and editor of Greenwood's Human Body Systems series.

This book has the following chapters: Acknowledgments Series Foreword Introduction to the Gastrointestinal System Digestion at the Cellular and Molecular Level The Upper Gastrointestinal Tract: Oral Cavity, Esophagus and Stomach The Lower Gastrointestinal Tract: Small Intestine and Colon The Accessory Organs History of the Digestive System: Ancients to the Renaissance History of the Digestive System: 17th to 19th Centuries History of the Digestive System: 20th Century to the Present Diseases and Ailments of the Oral Cavity and Esophagus Diseases and Ailments of the Stomach Diseases and Ailments of the Small and Large Intestine Ailments and Diseases of the Accessory Glands Cancer of the of the Digestive System Appendix A: List of Acronyms Internet Sources Fact Sheet Glossary