a. The small intestines are classically divided into three areas-- the
duodenum, the jejunum, and the ileum. The duodenum is C-shaped, about 10 inches long in
the adult. The duodenum is looped around the pancreas.
DUODENUM = 12 fingers (length equal to width of 12 fingers)
The jejunum is approximately eight feet long and connects the duodenum and
ileum. The ileum is about 12 feet long. The jejunum and ileum are attached to the rear
wall of the abdomen with a membrane called a mesentery. This membrane allows mobility and
serves as a passageway for nerves and vessels (NAVL) to the small intestines.
JEJUNUM = empty
ILEUM = lying next to the ilium (bone of the pelvic girdle; PELVIS = basin)
b. The small intestine is tubular. It has muscular walls which produce a
wave-like motion called peristalsis moving the contents along. The small intestine is just
the right length to allow the processes of digestion and absorption to take place
completely.
c. The inner surface of the small intestine is NOT smooth like the inside
of new plumbing pipes. Rather, the inner surface has folds (plicae). On the surface of
these plicae are finger-like projections called villi (villus, singular). This folding and
the presence of villi increase the surface area available for absorption.
Primary Content Providers: The U. S. Army, The
U.S. Navy
Ancillary Content and Online Version: David L. Heiserman
Publisher: SweetHaven Publishing Services
