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

Examples of small intestine in a Sentence

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Next, that mixture gets passed on in steady increments to the small intestine, where more specialized enzymes and acids get injected (mainly by the pancreas) to help break that protein all the way down. — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "Here's What Actually Happens in Your Body When You Eat Protein," 20 June 2019 Chicory root fiber passes through your small intestine and then is fermented by the bacteria in your large intestine. — Christy Brissette, Washington Post, "What is inulin, and why is it showing up in so many food products?," 12 June 2019 The first is speedily drawing water into your small intestine, causing gas, bloating, distension, and diarrhea. — Good Housekeeping, "What You Need to Eat for IBS, According to a Nutritionist," 4 Sep. 2017 Jay Crouch received two new kidneys, a liver, a small intestine and pancreas from a single donor. — Fox News, "7-year-old boy recovering after 5-organ transplant surgery," 25 Apr. 2018 The device at the center of the case, a duodenoscope, is threaded down through the mouth, throat and stomach to the top of the small intestine. — Samuel Rubenfeld, WSJ, "Olympus Unit Settles Criminal Probe Over Device Linked to ‘Superbug’ Infections," 10 Dec. 2018 Over time, this harms your small intestine’s lining and prevents absorption of nutrients, which can lead to weight loss. — Korin Miller, SELF, "13 Surprising Medical Conditions That Can Cause Weight Gain or Loss (and When to Go to the Doctor)," 12 Nov. 2018 Your gallbladder holds a digestive fluid called bile that's released into your small intestine to help with the crucial task of breaking down your food. — Korin Miller, SELF, "6 Gastrointestinal Issues That Can Affect You During Pregnancy," 14 Dec. 2018 These short-chain carbohydrates found in a wide range of nutritious foods are particularly susceptible to malabsorption in your small intestine. — Good Housekeeping, "What You Need to Eat for IBS, According to a Nutritionist," 4 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.

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Last Updated

15 Jul 2019

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The first known use of small intestine was in 1767

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More Definitions for small intestine

small intestine

noun

English Language Learners Definition of small intestine

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

See the full definition for small intestine in the English Language Learners Dictionary

small intestine

noun

Kids Definition of small intestine

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

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