Small intestine: Difference between revisions
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The small intestine is a major digestive [[ | The small intestine is a major digestive [[Organ|organ]] which absorbs vital nutrients. It is the longest part of the [[Gastrointestinal tract|gastrointestinal tract]] and can be separated into three parts - the [[Duodenum|duodenum]], [[Jejunum|jejunum]] and the [[Ileum|ileum]] <ref name="null">Drake,R. Vogl, A. Mitchell, A. (2010) Gray's Anatomy for Students, 2nd Edition, Philadelphia: Churchill Linvingstone Elsevier. Chapter 4, Pages 300-303.</ref>. The duodenum is responsible for the breakdown of food. It has the widest lumen of the small intestine and itself is split in to four parts, the superior part, the descending part, the inferior part and the ascending part <ref name="null">Drake,R. Vogl, A. Mitchell, A. (2010) Gray's Anatomy for Students, 2nd Edition, Philadelphia: Churchill Linvingstone Elsevier. Chapter 4, Page 303.</ref>. The jejunum is smaller in diameter than the duodenum and absorbs [[Carbohydrates|carbohydrates]] and sugars. The ileum is smaller still than the jejunum and absorbs what is not digested by the jejunum, such as [[Vitamin B12|vitamin B12]]. | ||
=== References === | === References === | ||
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Revision as of 15:26, 14 October 2013
The small intestine is a major digestive organ which absorbs vital nutrients. It is the longest part of the gastrointestinal tract and can be separated into three parts - the duodenum, jejunum and the ileum [1]. The duodenum is responsible for the breakdown of food. It has the widest lumen of the small intestine and itself is split in to four parts, the superior part, the descending part, the inferior part and the ascending part [1]. The jejunum is smaller in diameter than the duodenum and absorbs carbohydrates and sugars. The ileum is smaller still than the jejunum and absorbs what is not digested by the jejunum, such as vitamin B12.