Does the small intestine absorb nutrients from the bloodstream?
1 Answer
Oct 15, 2016
The small intestine absorbs nutrients from its contents, not from the bloodstream.
Explanation:
The small intestine (comprising the duodenum, the jejunum and the ileum in order from the stomach to the large intestine) absorbs nutrients from the food that is passed from the stomach.
Most of the nutrients are absorbed in the jejunum, while some are absorbed in the duodenum and in the ileum.
The nutrients that are absorbed pass into the blood stream by a process of diffusion into the blood vessels in the wall of the small intestine.
