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

The autoimmune response that causes damage to the small intestine may also affect pain messages to the brain. —Daniel More, Verywell Health, 17 Jan. 2025

About 70% of all GI bleeds occur in the upper GI tract—the esophagus (the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach), stomach, or duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 11 Jan. 2025

The researchers used nanoparticles containing small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that, when swallowed, are delivered to the small intestine. —New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2024

Hookworms stick to the wall of the small intestine and suck blood, posing a serious threat; roundworms are typically seen in puppies but adult dogs can get them too; whipworms live in the cecum and can be quite hard to diagnose; and tapeworms, which are typically carried by fleas. —Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025

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