The organs of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, also known as the alimentary canal, include the mouth, pharynx, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum and anus.

From the mouth to the anus, the GI tract is more than 5-7 metres long in a living person and enables food to be processed. Food is moved along through the GI tract by muscle contractions.

Food remains in the GI tract from the moment it is eaten until it is digested or expelled.