Upper gastrointestinal tract

Looks like

The upper part of the digestive tract: mouth, throat, gullet, stomach and duodenum, up to the ligament of Treitz.

What it does

Takes in food, begins digestion with acid and enzymes and passes it to the small bowel.

Keeping it well

Vomiting blood or black tarry stools signal upper GI bleeding — seek urgent care. Endoscopy (gastroscopy) examines it.

Related conditions

• Crohn's disease