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

Elevated hydrogen levels can also indicate other conditions, including small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and malabsorption of other carbohydrates.4 An elimination diet can also help test for fructose malabsorption. —Devineé Lingo, M.s., Health, 1 Nov. 2024

For instance, apples are not recommended for people on a low-FODMAP diet (eating plan low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols, which are types of short-chain carbohydrates that the small intestine does not readily absorb). —Brittany Lubeck, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 28 Oct. 2024

He was later transferred to and died at Children's Wisconsin hospital with a lacerated small intestine and fractured pelvis. —Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 4 Sep. 2024

For people born in 1990, the risk of developing pancreatic, kidney and small intestine cancers was two to three times higher than for those born in 1955. —Athena Sobhan, Peoplemag, 1 Aug. 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