RT Book, Section A1 Kemp, Walter L. A1 Burns, Dennis K. A1 Brown, Travis G. SR Print(0) ID 57053788 T1 Chapter 14. Gastrointestinal Pathology T2 Pathology: The Big Picture YR 2008 FD 2008 PB The McGraw-Hill Companies PP New York, NY SN 978-0-07-147748-2 LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=57053788 RD 2024/03/28 AB The main purpose of the gastrointestinal tract is the transport of food and the absorption of nutrients. Many pathologic conditions of the gastrointestinal tract impair either or both of these functions. The gastrointestinal tract, and especially the colon, is a common site of malignancy. The two main symptoms related to pathology of the gastrointestinal tract are abdominal pain and gastrointestinal hemorrhage.