Title: small intestine
Headings: small intestine
small intestine
Size, location, and structure of the small intestine
Function of the small intestine

Content: The small intestine is divided into three sections: the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The small intestine follows the general structure of the GI tract in that the wall has a mucosa with simple columnar epithelium, submucosa, smooth muscle with inner circular and outer longitudinal layers, and serosa. The absorptive surface area of the small intestine is increased by plicae circulares, villi, and microvilli. Exocrine cells in the mucosa of the small intestine secrete mucus, peptidase, sucrase, maltase, lactase, lipase, and enterokinase. Endocrine cells secrete cholecystokinin and secretin. The most important factor for regulating secretions in the small intestine is the presence of chyme. This is largely a local reflex action in response to chemical and mechanical irritation from the chyme and in response to distention of the intestinal wall. This is a direct reflex action, thus the greater the amount of chyme, the greater the secretion. Size, location, and structure of the small intestine
2.5cm wide and 6m long
Fills most of the abdomen
Begins at the pyloric sphincter and ends with its connection to the large intestine at the ileocaecal valve
3 parts: