The Small and Large Intestines

Definition

The small intestine is a long, coiled tube where most of the digestion and absorption of nutrients occurs, while the large intestine absorbs water and salts, forming solid waste to be excreted. Together, they play crucial roles in the body's digestive system by breaking down food into nutrients and preparing waste for removal.

Related terms

Digestion:

The process by which food is broken down into smaller components that can be absorbed by the body.

Absorption:

The process by which nutrients from digested food are taken up into the bloodstream from the intestine.

Feces: Solid or semisolid remains of food that could not be digested or absorbed in the small intestine, expelled from the body through defecation