Dünndärmen

Dünndärmen, meaning "thin intestines" in German, refers to the small intestine, a crucial part of the digestive system in vertebrates. It is a long, coiled tube where most of the digestion and absorption of nutrients from food takes place. The small intestine is divided into three main sections: the duodenum, the jejunum, and the ileum. The duodenum receives partially digested food from the stomach and bile from the liver and gallbladder, as well as digestive enzymes from the pancreas, to further break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. The jejunum is primarily responsible for absorbing most of the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals into the bloodstream. The ileum, the final section, absorbs vitamin B12, bile salts, and any remaining nutrients. The inner lining of the small intestine is covered in villi and microvilli, which greatly increase the surface area for efficient absorption. Its length varies between species, but it is generally much longer than the large intestine. The muscular walls of the small intestine contract rhythmically, a process called peristalsis, to move food along and mix it with digestive juices.