Digestive System

The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.

Toxic Megacolon

Toxic megacolon is characterized by extreme inflammation and distention of the colon. Common symptoms are pain, distention of the abdomen, fever, rapid heart rate, and dehydration. This is a life-threatening complication that requires immediate medical treatment.

Crohn's Disease - Affected Areas

The inflammation of Crohn's disease is nearly always found in the ileocecal region. The ileocecal region consists of the last few inches of the small intestine (the ileum), which moves digesting food to the beginning portion of the large intestine (the cecum). However, Crohn's disease can occur anywhere along the digestive tract.

Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is categorized according to location:

• Proctitis involves only the rectum
• Proctosigmoiditis affects the rectum and sigmoid colon
• Left-sided colitis encompasses the entire left side of the large intestine
• Pancolitis inflames the entire colon

Digestive System Organs

The digestive system organs in the abdominal cavity include the liver, gallbladder, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.