digestive tract

noun

Definition of digestive tract

: the tubular passage typically extending from the mouth to the anus or cloaca that functions in digestion and absorption of food and elimination of residual waste and that in most mammals includes the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, intestine, and anus

— called also alimentary canal, alimentary tract

Examples of digestive tract in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Signs of an imbalance in the digestive tract may show up as bloating, gas, migraines, anxiety and brain fog. — Serena Poon, Forbes, "How To Increase Focus And Supercharge Productivity," 24 Feb. 2021 The immune system that patrols your outward-facing mucosal surfaces—spaces like the nose, the throat, the lungs, and digestive tract—relies on immunoglobulin A, or IgA antibodies. — Katherine Ellen Foley, Quartz, "Can you spread Covid-19 if you get the vaccine?," 11 Jan. 2021 The negative impacts of oxalates include binding to calcium in the digestive tract and removing it from the body in bowel movements. — Jill Joyce, The Conversation, "Anti-nutrients – they’re part of a normal diet and not as scary as they sound," 12 Jan. 2021 The structure is a network of tissues which is found throughout the body, wrapping around the entire digestive tract,the lungs, and every artery and vein. — Claire Maldarelli, Popular Science, "Scientists found a ‘new organ,’ but it might not be what you’re expecting," 2 Apr. 2018 In a series of studies, researchers are discovering that the microbial menagerie living in our digestive tract may help regulate brain function, including mental health. — Robert Lee Hotz, WSJ, "Feeling Depressed? Bacteria in Your Gut May Be to Blame," 21 Dec. 2020 Neurons of the same superficial type are different in the brain versus the brain stem—let alone in the digestive tract. — Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, "Hey, There's a Second Brain in Your Gut," 11 Dec. 2020 Probably to help conserve water, most birds put their excess nitrogen exclusively into uric acid, which is much less soluble than urea and so can be excreted as a semisolid paste along with wastes from the digestive tract. — Harold Mcgee, Wired, "The History of Poop Is Really the History of Technology," 6 Nov. 2020 This happens most often to the healthy cells in your hair follicles, mouth, and digestive tract—all of the places where side effects are most common. — Hannah Dylan Pasternak, SELF, "Marcia Cross Reveals the ‘Gnarly’ Side Effects of Her Anal Cancer Treatment," 23 Nov. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'digestive tract.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

2 Mar 2021

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“Digestive tract.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/digestive%20tract. Accessed 3 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for digestive tract

digestive tract

noun

Kids Definition of digestive tract

: the tube-shaped passage including the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, and intestines that is concerned with taking in, breaking down, and absorbing food and discharging solid waste

digestive tract

noun

Medical Definition of digestive tract

: the tubular passage typically extending from mouth to anus or cloaca that functions in digestion and absorption of food and elimination of residual waste and that in most mammals includes the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, intestine, and anus

— called also alimentary canal, alimentary tract

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