Upper GI Tract

The gastrointestinal (GI), or digestive tract extends from mouth to anus. Though there is some confusion and debate regarding the division, the GI tract is conventionally divided into upper (mouth to ileum) and lower (cecum to anus) for all practical purposes.

For the purposes of endoscopy, the upper GI tract includes the esophagus,stomach and duodenum (esophagogastroduodenoscopy [EGD] or upper GI endoscopy UGIE), and the lower GI tract includes the anus, rectum, colon, and cecum (colonoscopy or lower GI endoscopy). The small intestine (jejunum and ileum) is relatively inaccessible to endoscopy.

Endoscopy, or EGD, is a procedure used to see inside the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum-the first part of the small intestine. This procedure is also routinely done under sedation to maximize patient comfort during the exam. EGD can help to diagnose problems with swallowing, abdominal pain, anemia, gastrointestinal bleeding, and persistent reflux. It can help detect ulcers or tumors of the upper GI tract, along with esophagitis, gastritis, and other findings.

Common problems encountered in upper Gastrointestinal tract include oesophagitis, GERD, gastritis, gastric ulcers, stomach cancers and upper GI bleeding (blood vomiting, black stool).