Absorption in the Small Intestine

ABSORPTION IN THE SMALL INTESTINE

The absorption is addressed in detail according to food type following the description of the rest of the digestive tract. The small intestine is fully suited for its absorptive function in that its length, presence of villi, and microvilli greatly increase the surface area. Also, the movement of the food material through it is quite slow—about 5 hours for food to pass from the duodenum to the end of the small intestine. In addi-tion, the blood supply and lymphatic supply are ex-tensive.