ileum
Small bowel's end
The ileum is the final and longest section of the small intestine, connecting to the large intestine at the cecum.
It absorbs nutrients—particularly vitamin B12 and bile salts—that weren't absorbed earlier in digestion.
Not to be confused with ilium, the large bone of the pelvis.
Intestinal absorptive protrusions
- microvilliMicroscopic membrane protrusions
- mucosaMoist organ lining
- submucosaTissue beneath mucosal layer
- serosaFluid-secreting tissue layer
muscularis · mesentery · lacteal · ileal · jejunum · duodenum · cecum · small intestine
Partially digested stomach contents
- peristalsisInvoluntary digestive muscle waves
- enzymesReaction-speeding proteins
- bileLiver-made digestive fluid
- peptidaseBond-cleaving enzyme
lactase · maltase · sucrase · hydrolysis · segmentation · motility · intestinal flora · enteric
Chronic intestinal inflammation disorder
- ileitisIleum swelling condition
- obstructionSomething blocking the way
- inflammationProtective tissue response
- malabsorptionFailed intestinal nutrient uptake
perforation · stricture · fistula · ulceration · resection · adhesions
Vital dietary substances
- bile saltsHepatic fat emulsifiers
- vitamin B12Nerve and blood nutrient
- fatty acidsOrganic molecules in fats
- amino acidsOrganic compounds forming proteins
glucose · electrolytes · water · iron · calcium · lipids · cholesterol · fructose
villi
Intestinal absorptive protrusions
- microvilliMicroscopic membrane protrusions
- mucosaMoist organ lining
- submucosaTissue beneath mucosal layer
serosa · muscularis · mesentery · lacteal · ileal · jejunum · duodenum · cecum · small intestine · digestive tract
chyme
Partially digested stomach contents
- peristalsisInvoluntary digestive muscle waves
- enzymesReaction-speeding proteins
- bileLiver-made digestive fluid
peptidase · lactase · maltase · sucrase · hydrolysis · segmentation · motility · intestinal flora · enteric
Crohn's disease
Chronic intestinal inflammation disorder
- ileitisIleum swelling condition
- obstructionSomething blocking the way
- inflammationProtective tissue response
malabsorption · perforation · stricture · fistula · ulceration · resection · adhesions
nutrients
Vital dietary substances
- bile saltsHepatic fat emulsifiers
- vitamin B12Nerve and blood nutrient
- fatty acidsOrganic molecules in fats
amino acids · glucose · electrolytes · water · iron · calcium · lipids · cholesterol · fructose · monosaccharides
- anatomybrain, heart, bones, liver, stomach
- digestionstomach acid, swallowing, digesting, chewing, digestion
- gutintestine, small intestine, large intestine, colon, bowel
- body passagesmouth, nose, ear, nostril, anus
- innardsviscera, entrails, innards, insides, guts
- Intestinesintestine, intestines, small intestine, large intestine, bowel