Best Answer: The small intestine incorporates three features which account for its huge absorptive surface area: 1.Mucosal folds: the inner surface of the small intestine is not flat, but thrown into circular folds, which not only increase surface area, but aid in mixing the ingesta by acting as baffles. 2.Villi: the mucosa forms multitudes of projections which protrude into the lumen and are covered with epithelial cells.