Title: How Does the Small Intestine Digest Food? | Laparoscopic.MD
Headings: Intestine
Intestine
Your small intestine and digestion
Small Intestinal and Nutrient Absorption
Jejunum
Ileum
Puréed Artichoke
Healthy foods with different absorptive properties

Content: These are instrumental in the absorption of nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, amino acid, sugar, fatty acid particles, vitamins, minerals, electrolytes and water. It is interesting to note that the villi in the jejunum are longer than those in the duodenum and the ileum. The surface are of the jejunum is also increased due to large circular folds called plicae circulares present in the submucosa. Ileum
The ileum is the final part of the small intestine. It opens into the large intestine via the ileocecal valve. The ileum is preceded by the jejunum. This section of the small intestine is approximately 6 to 12 feet (3.5 meters) long. The ileum absorbs mainly vitamin B12, other water soluble vitamins, bile salts, and nutrients that were not absorbed in the jejunum. More specifically, the absorption of the vitamins takes place at the terminal ileum – the last part of the ileum. Removal of this portion of the ileum will likely necessitate supplementary vitamin B12 doses for rest of the life.