Small Intestine Structure and Function Flashcards
What length is the small intestine?
Around 6 metres - 4.5 to 9 metres
Describe the duodenum
Is 25cm long
Gastric acid neutralisation, digestion and iron absorption
Describe the jejunum
Is 2.5m long
Does 95% of the nutrient absorption
Describe the ileum
3.5m long
NaCl/H2O absorption which gives chyme dehydration
What increases the surface area of the small intestine?
Folds, villi and microvilli
How much does folds, villi and microvilli increase the relative surface area?
Folds - 3
Villi - 30
Microvilli - 600
Describe the structure of the villi
Simple columnar epithelium
Lacteal - takes up product of fat digestion
Capillary network
Goblet cells
Crypt of Lieberkuhn
What does the villus cell absorb?
NaCl
Monosaccharides
Amino acids
Peptides
Fats
Vitamins
Minerals and Water
What does does a crypt cell secrete?
Cl and Water
What is the difference between a crypt cell and a villus cell?
Villus cell absorbs
Crypt cell secretes
Describe Na coupled secondary active transport
Na enters cell along with ex. glucose, galactose, amino acids or nucleosides
Promotes water transport
Na leaves basolateral membrane by NaK pump as K is recycled
How much intestinal fluid does the small intestine secrete in a day?
1500ml of H2O
How is H2O secreted from crypts of Lieberkuhn?
Passively as a consequence of active secretion of chloride into intestinal lumen
Why is H2O secretion important for normal digestive process?
Maintains lumenal contents in liquid state
Promotes mixing of digestive enzymes and nutrients
Aids nutrient presentation to absorbing surface
Dilutes and washes away injurious substances
What happens normally to the H2O secreted by crypts?
Reabsorbed by villi