small intestine

noun

Definition of small intestine

: the narrow part of the intestine that lies between the stomach and colon, consists of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, secretes digestive enzymes, and is the chief site of the digestion of food into small molecules which are absorbed into the body

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Recent Examples of small intestine from the Web

In some people gluten can be really bad, triggering an immune response to attack the small intestine.

— bryant stamford, The Courier-Journal, "Why our knee-jerk responses to diets promote obesity and poor health," 2 Nov. 2017
Your small intestine can perforate for a number of reasons, including an accidental cut during surgery.

— korin miller, SELF, "Sean Hayes Needed Emergency Surgery After His Small Intestine ‘Burst Open’," 26 Oct. 2017
For those with celiac disease, the ingestion of gluten causes an immune system reaction that attacks the small intestines.

— marc bona, cleveland.com, "WTAM 5-minute beer podcast: Oktoberfest, beer, Browns food, more (podcast)," 6 Sep. 2017
Celiac causes the body to produce antibodies to gluten, which causes damage to the lining of the small intestine.

— amy capetta, SELF, "Mandy Moore Had an Upper Endoscopy to Test for Celiac Disease," 10 Oct. 2017
The vagus nerve, which also reaches down into the abdomen, plays many roles including slowing the heartbeat and controlling muscles of the small intestine.

— chicago tribune, chicagotribune.com, "Vegetative-state patient responds to experimental therapy after 15 years," 26 Sep. 2017
There are dishes that people avoid, like chitterlings [a dish made from small intestines of a pig].

— nikita richardson, Bon Appetit, "At JuneBaby, Seattle's Buzziest New Restaurant, Come for the Food but Stay for the History," 25 Sep. 2017
The researchers speculate that bacteria may invade pancreatic tumors by migrating from the duodenum, the top section of the small intestine.

— beth mole, Ars Technica, "See jerkface bacteria hiding in tumors and gobbling chemotherapy drugs," 17 Sep. 2017
He’d been diagnosed with intestinal malrotation — a rare condition in adults where the small intestine and large intestine begin to wrap around each other.

— jesse newell, kansascity, "12 months ago, he had surgery to rearrange his organs. He’ll start for KU on Saturday," 1 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'small intestine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of small intestine

1767

SMALL INTESTINE Defined for English Language Learners

small intestine

noun

Definition of small intestine for English Language Learners

: the long, narrow upper part of the intestine in which food is digested after it leaves the stomach

SMALL INTESTINE Defined for Kids

small intestine

noun

Definition of small intestine for Students

: the long narrow upper part of the intestine in which food is mostly digested and from which digested food is absorbed into the body

Medical Dictionary

small intestine

noun

medical Definition of small intestine

: the part of the intestine that lies between the stomach and colon, consists of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, secretes digestive enzymes, and is the chief site of the absorption of digested nutrients — called also small bowel

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See words that rhyme with small intestine Nglish: Translation of small intestine for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about small intestine

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small intestine

Definition of small intestine

Recent Examples of small intestine from the Web

First Known Use of small intestine

SMALL INTESTINE Defined for English Language Learners

small intestine

Definition of small intestine for English Language Learners

SMALL INTESTINE Defined for Kids

small intestine

Definition of small intestine for Students

Medical Dictionary

small intestine

medical Definition of small intestine

Illustration of small intestine

Learn More about small intestine

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small intestine

Definition of small intestine

Recent Examples of small intestine from the Web

First Known Use of small intestine

SMALL INTESTINE Defined for English Language Learners

small intestine

Definition of small intestine for English Language Learners

SMALL INTESTINE Defined for Kids

small intestine

Definition of small intestine for Students

Medical Dictionary

small intestine

medical Definition of small intestine

Illustration of small intestine

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