Library · Anatomy
Small intestine
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The small intestine is a long finishing and transfer station. Partly digested food mixes there with intestinal fluid, bile, and pancreatic juice, completing the breakdown of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats into smaller pieces.
Absorption comes next. Cells in the lining move most nutrients into the blood or lymph. From those routes, sugars, amino acids, vitamins, salts, and other components can travel to tissues throughout the body to be used or stored.
In brief
The small intestine is the part of the digestive tract where much of the breakdown of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats is completed. Its contents mix with intestinal fluid, bile, and pancreatic juice, turning large molecules into forms that can be absorbed.
It is also the main site of nutrient absorption. Specialized cells in its lining move sugars, amino acids, vitamins, salts, and other products into the blood or lymph, from which they can be used by other tissues or stored.
It finishes breaking food down, then transfers nutrients.
Sources (1)
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIHYour Digestive System & How it Works
This page explains the topic in general terms; it does not tell anyone what treatment to follow.
Updated