Small Intestine
Compiled By Muchiri Simon
Edition: 2024/25
, Medical & Nursing | Anatomy I of IV pages
1. What are the 3 components of the small intestine?
Duodenum (proximal)Jujenum (middle)Ileum (distal)
2. What are the 4 functions of the small intestine?
mechanical breakdown and propulsion (via segmentation and peristalsis)
mechanical and chemical digestion
absorption of nutrients
transportation of undigested material to large intestine
3. Which organs does the small intestine receive digestive enzymes and bile from, and via which pathways?
Digestive enzymes from pancreas (via main pancreatic duct, hepatopancreatic ampulla and sphincter, and
Bile from liver (via left and right hepatic ducts, common hepatic duct, bile duct, hepatopancreatic ampulla and
4. Describe the pathways of the ducts entering the small intestine from the liver and pancreas
Pancreas:
major pancreatic duct
unites with bile duct to form hepatopancreatic ampulla
through hepatopancreatic sphincter
through major duodenal papilla into D2
From Liver:
via right and left hepatic duct
unite to form common hepatic duct
unite with cystic duct (from gallblader) to form bile duct
unites with pancreatic duct to form hepatopancreatic ampulla
through hepatopancreatic sphincter
through major duodenal papilla into D2
5. Whereabouts in the small intestine do secretions from the pancreas and liver enter, and how?
D2 segment of the duodenum
major duodenal papilla
secretions enter via hepatopancreatic sphincter, from hepatopancreatic duct, from bile duct (liver) and major
6. In which component of the small intestine do the most digestive processes take place?
The duodenum
- pancreatic enzymes (via pancreatic duct) begin chemical digestion of chyme
7. What is the function of bile in the small intestine?
emulsifies fats
- enhances digestion
8. What marks the borders of the small intestine?
The pyloric sphincter marks the border between the stomach and the duodenum
The ileocaecal junction marks the border between the ileum and the caecum of the large intestine
Anatomy 2024/25 Edition