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The small intestine is a long, highly convoluted tube in the digestive system that absorbs about 90% of the nutrients from the food we eat. It is given the name âsmall intestineâ because it is only 1 inch in diameter, making it less than half the diameter of the large intestine.
The main function of the large intestine is the absorption of water. The chyme that passes through the small intestine and into the large intestine initially is very fluid. The large intestine epithelium has a large capacity for water absorption.Once digesta passes though the ileum into the large intestine, no enzymatic digestion occurs.he chyme that passes through the small intestine and into the large intestine initially is very fluid. The large intestine epithelium has a large capacity for water absorption. Once digesta passes though the ileum into the large intestine, no enzymatic digestion occurs.