Small intestine how long

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MOCA Domain:. Anatomy and Biomechanics. Possible Appearance:. Intestines do a lot of work to help give you the energy and nourishment you need to stay healthy, and to function and thrive every day. So, have you ever wondered how your intestines work or how long they are? Your small intestine runs from your stomach to your large intestine.

It continues the process of digestion that started in your stomach. The small intestine absorbs nutrients and water from digested food. In fact, 90 percent of food absorption happens in the small intestine. The length of the small intestine can vary between about 10 feet 3 meters to over 16 feet 5 meters.

For comparison, a standard basketball hoop is 10 feet tall. The different sections of the small intestine are also different lengths. The ileum is the longest section while the duodenum is the shortest. This terminology actually refers to the diameter of the small intestine, which is about 1 inch around 2.

Despite its small diameter, the small intestine actually has a very high surface area. This increased surface area allows for more absorption of nutrients and water. Additionally, bacteria found in the large intestine can help to further break down any remaining nutrients.

Vitamins such as vitamin K are also produced in the large intestine. There are also some specific health conditions that can affect the large intestine. Some of the most common include:. The large intestine is about 5 feet 1. If you stretched out your large intestine, it would be about as long as the width of a queen size bed. The colon is the longest portion of your large intestine. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Goldman L, et al. Disorders of gastrointestinal motility.

In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Elsevier; Accessed Nov. Normal function. International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders. Naish J, et al. The alimentary system. In: Medical Sciences. See also How digestion works Swallowing gum: Is it harmful? Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. Legal Conditions and Terms Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below.

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