Title: What Does the Small Intestine Do?
Headings: What Does the Small Intestine Do?
What Does the Small Intestine Do?
How big is the small intestine?
Anatomy of the small intestine
Functions of the small intestine
Digestion of proteins
Digestion of lipids
Digestion of carbohydrates
Absorption in the small intestines
Water
Electrolytes
Vitamins and minerals
Disorders of the small intestine
Further Reading
Dr. Ananya Mandal

Content: Enteroendocrine cell
The submucosa under the mucosa contains Brunner's (duodenal) glands, found only in the submucosa of the duodenum. It secretes an alkaline mucus that neutralizes the gastric acid in the incoming chyme. Aggregates of lymphoid follicles are scattered throughout the small intestine but are found in highest concentration within the ileum, where they are designated Peyer's patches. These are more prominent among children and infants. The small intestine ends at the ileocecal valve that leads it to the colon. The ileocecal valve provides a barrier to the back flow of the colonic contents into the small intestine. The wall of the small intestine and colon is composed of four layers: mucosa (or mucous membrane), submucosa, muscularis (or muscularis propria), and adventitia (or serosa). Functions of the small intestine
The small intestine is the part of the intestines where 90% of the digestion and absorption of food occurs, the other 10% taking place in the stomach and large intestine. The main function of the small intestine is absorption of nutrients and minerals from food.