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

Boston Marathon runners and Olympic athletes have higher than usual amounts of Veillonella bacteria in their digestive tract following races, a new study finds. Susan Scutti, CNN, "Could the poo of elite athletes provide an ingredient to improve physical performance?," 25 June 2019 The main job of your liver is filtering blood that’s flowing from your digestive tract to the rest of your body. Maggie O'neill, Health.com, "How Long Does Alcohol Stay in Your System? We Asked an Expert," 20 June 2019 Inulin is a type of prebiotic, a substance that’s used by the microorganisms in your digestive tract and positively influences health. Christy Brissette, Washington Post, "What is inulin, and why is it showing up in so many food products?," 12 June 2019 Another fiber study — again in mice — showed what happens when the bacteria in the digestive tract don’t get any fiber. Julia Belluz, Vox, "Nearly all Americans fail to eat enough of this actual superfood," 15 July 2019 The report does not state whether the fecal material was given in liquid form as an infusion into the digestive tract or swallowed as pills. Denise Grady, New York Times, "Fecal Transplant Is Linked to a Patient’s Death, the F.D.A. Warns," 13 June 2019 Scientists who studied marathon runners discovered a type of bacteria that flourished in their digestive tracts. Stephanie Demarco, latimes.com, "Marathon runners get a boost from the bacteria in their guts," 25 June 2019 This reflex is named after the vagus nerve, which runs from your brain to your heart, lungs and digestive tract. Anne R. Crecelius, The Conversation, "Why do people faint?," 20 June 2019 My digestive tract thanks me on a daily basis (or bugs me a little less). Bon Appétit, "“If I Could Do My 30s All Over Again, I'd...”," 12 June 2019

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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First Known Use of digestive tract

1842, in the meaning defined above

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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