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THE SMALL INTESTIN E

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Small Intestine
longest segment of the GI tract ( about 2.5 7 m or 8 18 ft) it is a muscular tube extending from pyloric sphincter to the ileocecal valve. it is the bodys major digestive organ is where most chemical digestion takes place

Fx: for digestion and absorption

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3 SUBDIVISIONS

1. Duodenum - is the first portion of the small Intestine, and receives the contents of the stomach. Jejunum middle section and where the majority of the absorption of nutrients takes place

2.

Ileum distal section - where the majority of the absorption of nutrients takes place
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3.

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FUNCTIONS OF THE SMALL INTESTINE

Digestion Absorption

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DIGESTION

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DIGESTION
The

small intestine is where most chemical digestion takes place. Most of the digestive enzymes that act in the small intestine are secreted by the pancreas and enter the small intestine via the pancreatic duct. The enzymes enter the small intestine in response to the hormone cholecystokinin, which is produced in the small intestine in response to the presence of nutrients. The hormone secretin also causes bicarbonate to be released into the small intestine from the pancreas in order to neutralize the potentially harmful 8/1/12 acid

ABSORPTIO N

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3 Structures that increase the absorptive surface

Microvilli

Are tiny projections of the plasma membrane of the mucosa cells that give the cell surface a fuzzy appearance, sometimes referred as the BRUSH BORDER Are fingerlike projections of the mucosa that give it a velvety appearance and feel.

Villi

Circular

folds

Also called PLICAE CIRCULARES Are deep folds of the mucosa and submucosa layers
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ABSORPTION
The

transport of digested end products from the lumen of the GI tract to the blood or lymph. absorption to occur, the digested foods must first enter the mucosal cells by active or passive transport processes. small intestine is the major absorptive

For

The

site.

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ABSORPTION OF FOODSTUFFS ( Active Transport)

CHO
(monosaccharide glucose, galactose, fructose)

CHON
(amino acids)

CAPILLARY BLOOD IN THE VILL via Hepatic portal vein LIVE R

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ABSORPTION OF FOODSTUFFS ( Diffusion)

Fatty Acids Monoglycerides

LACTEALS OF THE VILL via Lymph in the thoracic duct SYSTEMIC CIRCULATION
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SITE OF ABSORPTION
Nutrients

are absorbed at specific locations throughout the small intestine and duodenum CHON, fats, sodium and chloride area absorbed in jejunum. B12 and bile salts are absorbed in the ileum.
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CHO,

Vit.

Magnesium,

TWO TYPES OF CONTRACTIONS OCCUR IN THE SMALL INTESTINE

1. Segmentation contraction - produce mixing waves that move more the intestinal contents back and forth in a churning motion 2. Intestinal peristalsis -propels the contents of the small intestine toward the colon
BOTH

MOVEMENTS ARE STIMULATED BY THE PRESENCE OF CHYME!

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