small bowels
Nutrient absorption organs
The small bowels are the small intestine—the long, coiled tube between the stomach and large intestine where most digestion and nutrient absorption occurs.
The plural form appears mainly in medical contexts: The surgeon examined the small bowels for obstruction.
In everyday speech, "small intestine" is more common.
Initial small intestine
- jejunumSecond small intestine portion
- ileumLast small intestine segment
- mesenteryTissue suspending intestines internally
- mucosaMoist organ lining
villi · microvilli · lumen · serosa · submucosa · muscularis · crypts · ampulla of Vater
Vital dietary substances
- vitaminsEssential organic nutrients
- mineralsInorganic natural solids
- amino acidsOrganic compounds forming proteins
- glucosePrimary cellular fuel
fatty acids · electrolytes · bioavailability · permeability · B12 · folate · calcium · sodium
Reaction-speeding proteins
- chymePartially digested stomach contents
- peristalsisInvoluntary digestive muscle waves
- bileLiver-made digestive fluid
- pancreatic juiceDigestive enzymes from organ behind stomach
amylase · lipase · protease · segmentation · motility · lactase · maltase · sucrase
Autoimmune intestinal gluten reaction
- Crohn's diseaseChronic intestinal inflammation disorder
- malabsorptionFailed intestinal nutrient uptake
- obstructionSomething blocking the way
- adhesionsTissues abnormally joined together
ileus · perforation · ischemia · enteritis · stricture · fistula · diverticulosis · lymphoma
Digestive system's microbial community
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- probioticsLive microorganisms aiding digestion
- fermentationMicrobial sugar conversion
- commensalsNon-harmful biological freeloaders
Lactobacillus · Bifidobacterium · microorganisms · colonization · prebiotics
duodenum
Initial small intestine
- jejunumSecond small intestine portion
- ileumLast small intestine segment
- mesenteryTissue suspending intestines internally
mucosa · villi · microvilli · lumen · serosa · submucosa · muscularis · crypts · ampulla of Vater
nutrients
Vital dietary substances
- vitaminsEssential organic nutrients
- mineralsInorganic natural solids
- amino acidsOrganic compounds forming proteins
glucose · fatty acids · electrolytes · bioavailability · permeability · B12 · folate · calcium · sodium · carrier proteins
enzymes
Reaction-speeding proteins
- chymePartially digested stomach contents
- peristalsisInvoluntary digestive muscle waves
- bileLiver-made digestive fluid
pancreatic juice · amylase · lipase · protease · segmentation · motility · lactase · maltase · sucrase · peptidase
celiac disease
Autoimmune intestinal gluten reaction
- Crohn's diseaseChronic intestinal inflammation disorder
- malabsorptionFailed intestinal nutrient uptake
- obstructionSomething blocking the way
adhesions · ileus · perforation · ischemia · enteritis · stricture · fistula · diverticulosis · lymphoma · carcinoid
intestinal flora
Digestive system's microbial community
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- probioticsLive microorganisms aiding digestion
- fermentationMicrobial sugar conversion
commensals · Lactobacillus · Bifidobacterium · microorganisms · colonization · prebiotics
small bowelslarge bowel
Terminal digestive tube
large intestine · colon · cecum · rectum · ascending colon
small, smaller, smallest, smallish, smallness, bowel, bowels