Title: How the Small Intestine Works: Intestine Transplant Program
Headings: How the Small Intestine Works
Intestine Transplant Program
How the Small Intestine Works

Content: The main role of the duodenum is to complete the first phase of digestion. In this section of the intestine, food from the stomach is mixed with enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the gallbladder. The enzymes and bile help break down food. + Ileum
The ileum is the third part of the small intestine. It absorbs bile acids and vitamin B12, which are needed by the body for various functions. + Jejunum
The jejunum is the second part of the small intestine. After food is broken down in the duodenum, it moves into the jejunum, where the inside walls absorb the food’s nutrients. The inside walls of the jejunum have many circular folds, which make its surface area large enough to absorb all of the nutrients that the body needs. After food is processed in the small intestine, it passes into the large intestine (also called the large bowel or colon). The large intestine, which is about 5 feet long, extracts most of the water from the food and distributes the liquid to the body;