most absorption occurs at the ileocecal valve in the small intestine.
most absorption occurs at the ileocecal valve in the small intestine.
where does most absorption occur in the small intestine?
ileocecal valve
in the human digestive system, the stomach is responsible for mechanical and chemical digestions. the small intestine is involved in both the absorption and digestion of nutrients, whereas the large intestine is responsible for the elimination of wastes (defecation). the small intestine consists of 3 parts: duodenum, jejunum and ileum. the duodenum is the first part of the small intestine and is connected to the stomach via the pyloric valve. the jejunum is the second and middle part of the small intestine. the ileum is the last part of the small intestine and is connected to the cecum, a part of the large intestine, via the ileocecal valve.
intestinal bypass
after this, the digesta is moved to the true stomach, the abomasum. this is the gastric compartment of the ruminant stomach. the abomasum is the direct equivalent of the monogastric stomach, and digesta is digested here in much the same way. this compartment releases acids and enzymes that further digest the material passing through. this is also where the ruminant digests the microbes produced in the rumen. digesta is finally moved into the small intestine, where the digestion and absorption of nutrients occurs. the small intestine is the main site of nutrient absorption. the surface area of the digesta is greatly increased here because of the villi that are in the small intestine. this increased surface area allows for greater nutrient absorption. microbes produced in the reticulorumen are also digested in the small intestine. after the small intestine is the large intestine. the major roles here are breaking down mainly fiber by fermentation with microbes, absorption of water (ions and minerals) and other fermented products, and also expelling waste. fermentation continues in the large intestine in the same way as in the reticulorumen.
ruminant