Smáþarmarnir

Smáþarmarnir is the Icelandic term for the small intestine. The small intestine is a long, coiled tube where most of the digestion and absorption of nutrients from food takes place. It is located between the stomach and the large intestine. The small intestine is divided into three main sections: the duodenum, the jejunum, and the ileum. In the duodenum, digestive juices from the pancreas and liver are mixed with the chyme (partially digested food) from the stomach. The jejunum is where most of the nutrient absorption occurs, with its walls lined with villi and microvilli that significantly increase the surface area for absorption. The ileum, the final section, absorbs any remaining nutrients, particularly vitamin B12 and bile salts, before passing the undigested material to the large intestine. The walls of the small intestine secrete enzymes that further break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Its considerable length and specialized structure are crucial for extracting the maximum nutritional value from ingested food.