digestive tract

noun

: 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

Instead, improving your gut health looks more like nurturing the good bacteria that already live in your digestive tract by taking care of yourself. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 4 Sep. 2024

The fiber in lima beans can lower cholesterol levels by decreasing cholesterol absorption in the digestive tract and increasing its excretion in the stool. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 2 Sep. 2024

Promotes Regular Digestion Cooked spinach is a good source of fiber, which helps clean out your digestive tract and remove unwanted buildup to support gut health. —Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 15 Aug. 2024

Trillions of microbes live in the digestive tract alone, a menagerie estimated to contain more than 1,000 species. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 20 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

digestive tract

noun

: 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