Human body system which starts from mouth and ends in anal canal is:

Appeared in: IGNOU PB Bsc Entrance-2022

Explanation

The digestive system, also known as the alimentary canal or gastrointestinal (GI) tract, is a continuous tube that begins at the mouth and ends at the anal canal.
Its primary role is the mechanical and chemical breakdown of food (digestion), absorption of nutrients, and elimination of waste.
The path includes the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anal canal, matching the description in the question.

Option A: The respiratory system is primarily involved in gas exchange (breathing). Its pathway extends from the nose and mouth to the lungs, not the anal canal.
Option B: The nervous system is the body's communication and control network, consisting of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. It does not form a physical tube for processing food.
Option D: The endocrine system is a collection of glands that produce hormones to regulate various bodily functions like growth, metabolism, and mood. It is a chemical messaging system, not a physical tract.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Anatomy of Major Human Body Systems as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the digestive tract is fundamental for nurses to manage and educate patients on conditions like GERD, peptic ulcers, IBD, and constipation.
Nurses use this knowledge for procedures like nasogastric tube insertion, administering medications, and assessing bowel sounds and function.
What if? If a patient reports difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), the nurse's focus shifts to the initial parts of the digestive tract (pharynx and esophagus) and assessing for risks of aspiration into the respiratory system.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key anatomical landmarks mentioned in the question: a starting point ('mouth') and an ending point ('anal canal').
Next, consider the function implied by this continuous path: the processing of substances from entry to exit.
Evaluate each option: Does the respiratory system go from mouth to anus? No, it goes to the lungs. Does the nervous or endocrine system form a physical tube for transport? No.
Conclude that the only system matching this description is the digestive system, which is designed to process food along this exact path.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Anatomy Applied Ashalatha 4e pp. 54-56, 109-111

E6 Physiology Ganong 27e Vol 2 Part 2 p. 118-120

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Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.