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  (Redirected from Absorption (small intestine))
The small intestineor small bowelis an organin the gastrointestinal tractwhere most of the absorptionof nutrientsand mineralsfrom food takes place. It lies between the stomachand large intestine, and receives bileand pancreatic juicethrough the pancreatic ductto aid in digestion. The small intestine is about 20 feet (6 meters) long and folds many times to fit in the abdomen. Although it is longer than the large intestine, it is called the small intestine because it is smaller in width. Small intestine
Diagram showing the small intestine and surrounding structures
Details
Part of
Gastrointestinal tract
System
Digestive system
Artery
Superior mesenteric artery
Vein
Hepatic portal vein
Nerve
Celiac ganglia, vagus[1]
Lymph
Intestinal lymph trunk
Identifiers
Latin
Intestinum tenue
MeSH
D007421
TA98
A05.6.01.001
TA2
2933
FMA
7200
Anatomical terminology
[edit on Wikidata]
The small intestine has three distinct regions – the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The duodenum, the shortest, is where preparation for absorption through small finger-like protrusions called villibegins.[2] The jejunum is specialized for the absorption through its lining by enterocytes: small nutrient particles which have been previously digested by enzymesin the duodenum. The main function of the ileum is to absorb vitamin B12, bile salts, and whatever products of digestion were not absorbed by the jejunum. Contents
1Structure
1.1Size
1.2Parts
1.3Blood supply
1.4Microanatomy
1.5Gene and protein expression
1.6Development
2Function
2.1Digestion
2.2Absorption
2.3Immunological
3Clinical significance
4Other animals
5Society and culture
6Additional images
7See also
8References
9Bibliography
10External links
StructureEdit
SizeEdit
The length of the small intestine can vary greatly, from as short as 3.00 m (9.84 ft) to as long as 10.49 m (34.4 ft), also depending on the measuring technique used.[3] The typical length in a living person is 3m–5m. [ 4][5]The length depends both on how tall the person is and how the length is measured.[3] Taller people generally have a longer small intestine and measurements are generally longer after death and when the bowel is empty. [