small intestine

noun

Anatomy.

1. intestine ( def 2 ).

small intestine

noun

1. the longest part of the alimentary canal, consisting of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, in which digestion is completed Compare large intestine

small intestine

1. The long, narrow, coiled section of the intestine that extends from the stomach to the beginning of the large intestine. Nutrients from food are absorbed into the bloodstream from the small intestine. In mammals, it is made up of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.

small intestine

1. The upper portion of the intestines , extending from the stomach to the large intestine , where the digestion of food takes place. The small intestine is about twenty feet long in adults.

Word History and Origins

Origin of small intestine¹

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

The capsule then began its journey through the stomach, small intestine and large intestine to collect information about pH, temperature and pressure.

From Science Daily

They found increased permeability of the small intestine, most likely due to intestinal inflammation.

From Science Daily

Lead is absorbed in the small intestine, where it can latch onto cellular receptors that evolved to carry iron and other metals.

From Salon

"We are looking at strategies to selectively deliver iron to the large intestine, where it can benefit the microbiome without interfering with drug absorption in the small intestine."

From Science Daily

When Salmonella enters the small intestine, it causes inflammation in the gut lining and disrupts the normal absorption of amino acids from food.

From Science Daily