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intestine
intestine muscular hoselike portion of the gastrointestinal tract extending from the lower end of the stomach (pylorus) to the anal opening. In humans this fairly narrow (about 1 in./2.5 cm) tubelike structure winds compactly back and forth within the abdominal cavity for about 23 ft (7 m), and is known as the small intestine. It is not only an organ of digestion (for that part of the process not completed by the stomach) but is the chief organ of absorption. By contraction of its muscular walls (peristalsis) the food mass is propelled onward and, as it is carried along, it is subject to the digestive action of the secretions of the intestinal lining as well as to that of bile and pancreatic juice which enter the upper intestine (duodenum) from ducts leading from the liver and pancreas. Innumerable minute projections (villi) in the intestinal mucous lining absorb the altered food for distribution by the blood and lymphatic systems to the rest of the body. Food continues to pass into the middle (jejunum) and end (ileum) of the small intestines. The small intestine joins the large intestine (colon) at the cecum in the right lower abdominal cavity. Here, also, is the appendix , a blind pouch projecting from the cecum. The large intestine is wider in diameter. Its direction as it leaves the cecum is upward (ascending colon), across the abdominal cavity (transverse colon) beneath the stomach, and then downward (descending colon) on the left side of the abdominal cavity, making a sharp turn in the left lower portion (sigmoid) to merge with the rectum. In all, the large intestine is about 5 ft (1.5 m) long. Bacteria, the indigestible residue of food, and mucus form the bulk of matter in the large intestine. The water content of the bulk is absorbed through the walls of the large intestine, and the solid matter is excreted through the rectum. See digestive system . |
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"intestine." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "intestine." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-intestin.html "intestine." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-intestin.html |
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intestines
intestines The whole of the gut or alimentary tract beyond the stomach. The small intestine comprises duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, and the large intestine the caecum, colon, and rectum. The functions of the intestine are summarized as completion of digestion (which started in the stomach); absorption of nutrients, minerals, and water; motility (the various types of movement which mix and move the contents); and defence against invasion by harmful organisms. To these ends, the lining secretes mucus, enzymes, and water, and has folds and protrusions that increase its surface area. The tubular wall has layers of smooth muscle and an intricate nerve network; ample lymphatic tissue provides defence responses; and non-pathogenic microorganisms usefully inhabit the colon.
Stuart Judge See alimentary system. |
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COLIN BLAKEMORE and SHELIA JENNETT. "intestines." The Oxford Companion to the Body. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. COLIN BLAKEMORE and SHELIA JENNETT. "intestines." The Oxford Companion to the Body. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O128-intestines.html COLIN BLAKEMORE and SHELIA JENNETT. "intestines." The Oxford Companion to the Body. 2001. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O128-intestines.html |
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intestine
intestine Lower part of the alimentary canal, of the digestive system beyond the stomach. In the human, it is about 7m (24ft) long. Food is moved through the intestine by the wave-like action of peristalsis. It undergoes the final stages of digestion and is absorbed into the bloodstream in the small intestine which extends some 3m (10ft) from the stomach to the large intestine. In the large intestine (caecum, colon and rectum) water is absorbed from undigested material, which is then passed out of the body through the anus.
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"intestine." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "intestine." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-intestine.html "intestine." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-intestine.html |
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intestine
intestine (bowel, gut) (in-test-in) n. the part of the alimentary canal that extends from the stomach to the anus. large i. the part that consists of the caecum, vermiform appendix, colon, and rectum. It is largely concerned with the absorption of water from the material passed from the small intestine. small i. the part of the intestine that consists of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. It is here that most of the processes of digestion and absorption of food take place. See illustration.
—intestinal adj. |
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"intestine." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "intestine." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-intestine.html "intestine." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-intestine.html |
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intestine
in·tes·tine / inˈtestən/ (also in·tes·tines) • n. (in vertebrates) the lower part of the alimentary canal from the end of the stomach to the anus: the contents of the intestine | loops of intestine. See also large intestine, small intestine. ∎ (esp. in invertebrates) the whole alimentary canal from the mouth downward. DERIVATIVES: in·tes·ti·nal / -tənl/ adj. |
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"intestine." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "intestine." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-intestine.html "intestine." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-intestine.html |
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intestine
intestine The portion of the alimentary canal posterior to the stomach. Its major functions are the final digestion of food matter from the stomach, the absorption of soluble food matter, the absorption of water, and the production of faeces. See large intestine; small intestine.
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"intestine." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "intestine." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-intestine.html "intestine." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-intestine.html |
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intestine
intestine The gastro‐intestinal tract; more specifically the part after the stomach, i.e. the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) where the greater part of digestion and absorption take place, and the large intestine.
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DAVID A. BENDER. "intestine." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. DAVID A. BENDER. "intestine." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-intestine.html DAVID A. BENDER. "intestine." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-intestine.html |
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intestine
intestine internal. XVI. — L. intestīnus, f. intus within (corr. to Gr. entós); sb. (esp. pl.) lower part of the alimentary canal. XVI. — L. intestīnum, sb. use of n. of adj.
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T. F. HOAD. "intestine." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "intestine." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-intestine.html T. F. HOAD. "intestine." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-intestine.html |
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intestine
intestine The part of the alimentary canal, posterior to the stomach, in which the digestion of food is completed, water is absorbed, and faeces are produced.
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "intestine." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "intestine." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-intestine.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "intestine." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-intestine.html |
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bowels of mercy
bowels of mercy innate compassion; the bowels were traditionally regarded as the seat of tender and sympathetic emotions, as in Colossians 3:12.
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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "bowels of mercy." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "bowels of mercy." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-bowelsofmercy.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "bowels of mercy." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-bowelsofmercy.html |
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intestines
intestines intestines are the emblem of St Erasmus.
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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "intestines." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "intestines." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-intestines.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "intestines." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-intestines.html |
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intestine
intestine •assassin • Yeltsin • sasine
•Solzhenitsyn • rebbetzin
•biomedicine, medicine
•ceresin
•ricin, Terramycin
•tocsin, toxin
•Wisconsin • oxytocin • niacin
•moccasin • characin • Capuchin
•Latin, satin
•plantain • captain
•marten, martin
•cretin
•pecten, pectin
•Quentin
•clandestine, destine, intestine
•sit-in • quintain • bulletin • chitin
•Austen, Mostyn
•fountain, mountain
•gluten, highfalutin, Rasputin
•Dustin, Justin
•biotin • legatine • gelatin • keratin
•certain, Curtin
•Kirsten • Gethin • lecithin • Bleddyn
•Gavin, ravin, ravine, savin, spavin
•Alvin, Calvin
•Marvin
•Bevin, Kevin, levin, Previn, replevin
•kelvin, Melvin
•riboflavin • covin • Mervyn
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"intestine." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "intestine." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-intestine.html "intestine." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-intestine.html |
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