SMALL INTESTINE

The chime which has been churning constantly in the stomach is released into the duodenum.

The small intestine consists of two parts. It is over 6 meters in length and fills much of the lower abdominal cavity. The duodenum which is the smallest part of the intestine is where the majority of digestion occurs. The ileum is the largest part which concentrates on absorption.  The lining of the small intestine is full of villi. The villi contract and relax to help the food mix with enzyme secretions, which are in constant fresh supply. The juices which assist digestion in the small intestines come from three main sources which are;

·        LIVER

·        PANCREAS

·        INTESTINAL WALL

The digestion juices consist of;

·        Bile juice, green fluid, produced by the liver, (contains no enzymes), but does contain

·        Mineral salts, helps to neutralize the acid chime, helping a neutral pH for enzymes to work in.

·        Bile salts, sodium and potassium glycoholate and taurocholate, emulsifys and breaks down lipids into minute droplets.

The majority of absorption of food takes place in the small intestines. Absorption of monosaccharides, amino acids, fatty acids and glycerol and soluble substances known as vitamins and minerals takes place in the ileum. Micelles, which are globules of fatty acids, glycerol and fat soluble vitamins are dissolved into the cells lining the villi. They are then transported via the lymph to the hepatic artery which supplies the liver.