In
biology the
small intestine is the part of the
gastrointestinal tract between the
stomach and the
large intestine. In adult
humans it is about 7m long. It is divided into three structural parts:
duodenum, jejunum and ileum. Food from the stomach is allowed in to the duodenum by a muscle called the
pylorus[?], or pyloric
sphincter, and is then pushed through the small intestine by a process of muscular contractions called
peristalsis. The small intestine absorbs nutrients from the food before passing the waste material into the large intestine.
Small intestine disorders (see also gastroenterology):