Suolien

Suolien is the Finnish term for the intestines, the digestive organs housed in the abdomen that digest and absorb nutrients. In English-language contexts the word refers collectively to the small intestine and the large intestine, connected to the stomach and the rectum, and surrounded by the peritoneum. The small intestine consists of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum and is about 6 meters long in an adult. The large intestine includes the cecum, colon, and rectum and measures about 1.5 meters. The intestinal wall comprises the mucosa, submucosa, muscularis, and serosa. The mucosa contains villi and microvilli that increase surface area for absorption.

Functions include enzymatic digestion, propulsion, absorption of nutrients and most of the water, and formation of feces. The small intestine is the principal site of nutrient absorption, while the large intestine reabsorbs water and hosts gut microbiota that ferment fibers and synthesize certain vitamins. The intestinal lining includes immune tissue such as gut-associated lymphoid tissue, contributing to immune defense.

Clinical notes: Diseases affecting suolien include inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), celiac disease, infections, and malabsorption syndromes. Obstruction, tumors, and ischemia are potential acute problems. Treatments vary by condition and can involve diet, medications, or surgical intervention. The microbiome plays a growing role in health and disease, and research continues on its interactions with suolien function.