What it means
A coiled tube about 6 meters (20 feet) long with three parts: the duodenumdoo-uh-DEE-numThe first, short part of the small intestine, just after the stomach.Full entry , the jejunum and the ileum. Bile from the gallbladderGAWL-blad-erA small pear-shaped sac under the liver that stores bile and releases it to help digest fat.Full entry and juices from the pancreasPAN-kree-usA long, flat gland behind the stomach that makes digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin and glucagon.pan- allcreas fleshFull entry enter the duodenum to finish digestion. Its lining has millions of tiny finger-like folds (villi) that absorb nutrients into the blood. The ileum absorbs vitamin B12 and bile salts.
At a glance
| Spanish | intestino delgado |
|---|---|
| Also written | small intestines, small bowel |
Related terms
enter/o
A word part that means intestine, usually the small intestine.
digestion
The process of breaking food down into small parts the body can absorb and use.
intestine
The long tube of the digestive tract between the stomach and the anus, made up of the small and large intestine.
colon
The main part of the large intestine, between the small intestine and the rectum.
duodenum
The first, short part of the small intestine, just after the stomach.