small intestine

noun

: 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

Recent Examples on the Web

Your healthcare provider will insert an endoscope—a flexible tube with a camera—through the mouth and throat, passing it through the stomach into the duodenum (the top part of the small intestine). —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 28 Nov. 2024

Cancer in the abdominal region could mean many different kinds affecting digestive system organs, including the stomach, liver, large intestine, small intestine, pancreas, gallbladder, esophagus, and rectum. —Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 9 Sep. 2024

The risk of developing cancer is two to three times greater for millennials compared to baby boomers for small intestine cancer, kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, and liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancer in females. —Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 7 Aug. 2024

It is absorbed by fat globules that travel through the small intestines and distribute the vitamin throughout your body. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 6 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1767, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

small intestine

noun

: the long narrow part of the intestine between the stomach and the colon in which food is mostly digested, from which digested food is absorbed into the body, and which consists of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum

Medical Definition

small intestine

noun

: 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