Intestines

The intestine is the portion of the digestive tract between the stomach and the anus. It is divided into two major sections: small intestine and large intestine. They are a large component of the digestive system and help in the absorption of food nutrients for the body.

Anatomy of the Intestines

The small intestine is about 6 meters long. It is coiled in the center of the abdominal cavity. The small intestine is divided into 3 sections: upper, jejunum, and ileum. The lining of the small intestine secretes a hormone called secretin, which stimulates the pancreas to produce digestive enzymes.

The large intestine has a larger width but is only 1.5 meters long. The large intestine is divided into 6 parts: cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, and rectum.

The small and large intestines perform different functions. The small intestine is where the most extensive part of digestion occurs. Most food products are absorbed in the small intestine. Other functions include:

• Secrete digestive enzymes,
• Secrete buffers, and
• Absorb nutrients

The main function of the large intestine is to reabsorb water from the stool and eliminate the remaining relatively dry waste. Food and drink consumption and intestinal secretions result in approximately 5 gallons (19 L) of fluid being placed in the large intestine daily. A failure to adequately reabsorb this fluid would result in dehydration. Other functions include:

• Temporary storage of fecal waste,
• Elimination of waste from the body, and
• Synthesization of certain vitamins such as vitamin K and vitamin B

Conditions that affect the Intestines

Most of the common conditions that affect the intestines include:

• Crohn’s disease - A common inflammatory bowel disease,
• Constipation - Passage of small amount of hard, dry bowel movements,
• Irritable bowel syndrome - Causes abdominal pain and discomfort accompanied by alterations in bowel function, diarrhea, constipation or a combination of both,
• Tapeworms, and
• Hernia - When intestines protrude through the body

Bookmark this:

Bookmark this page