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small intestine
small intestine The part of the gut between the stomach and the large intestine, comprising consecutively the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. ‘Small’ because it is a narrower tube, though at about twenty feet a much longer one, than the ‘large’ intestine. It is covered by a membrane of peritoneum, and receives its blood vessels and nerves via the mesentery — a flat but fatty double membrane which fans out from the back of the abdomen to the loops of the small intestine. Digestion (started in the stomach) continues here, and absorption begins of the resulting simple nutrient molecules, and of water and minerals. The lining has many folds and protrusions (villi), and secretes mucus and enzymes.
Stuart Judge See alimentary system. |
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COLIN BLAKEMORE and SHELIA JENNETT. "small intestine." The Oxford Companion to the Body. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. COLIN BLAKEMORE and SHELIA JENNETT. "small intestine." The Oxford Companion to the Body. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O128-smallintestine.html COLIN BLAKEMORE and SHELIA JENNETT. "small intestine." The Oxford Companion to the Body. 2001. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O128-smallintestine.html |
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small intestine
small intestine Part of the digestive system that, in humans, extends – about 6m (20ft) coiled and looped – from the stomach to the large intestine, or colon. Its function is the digestion and absorption of food. See also duodenum; ileum
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"small intestine." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "small intestine." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-smallintestine.html "small intestine." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-smallintestine.html |
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small intestine
small intestine The portion of the alimentary canal between the stomach and the large intestine. It is subdivided into the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. It plays an essential role in the final digestion and absorption of food.
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Cite this article
"small intestine." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "small intestine." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-smallintestine.html "small intestine." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-smallintestine.html |
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small intestine
small in·tes·tine • n. the part of the intestine that runs between the stomach and the large intestine; the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum collectively. |
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Cite this article
"small intestine." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "small intestine." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-smallintestine.html "small intestine." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-smallintestine.html |
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