What is "small intestine"

Intestine \In*tes"tine\, n.; pl. Intestines. [L. intestinum: cf. F. intestin. See Intestine, a.]

1. (Anat.) That part of the alimentary canal between the stomach and the anus. See Illust. of Digestive apparatus.

2. pl. The bowels; entrails; viscera.

   Large intestine (Human Anat. & Med.), the lower portion of the bowel, terminating at the anus. It is adapted for the retention of fecal matter, being shorter, broader, and less convoluted than the small intestine; it consists of three parts, the c[ae]cum, colon, and rectum.

   Small intestine (Human Anat. & Med.), the upper portion of the bowel, in which the process of digestion is practically completed. It is narrow and contorted, and consists of three parts, the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.

n. (context anatomy English) The upper part of the intestine, between the stomach and the large intestine, divided into the duodenum, the jejunum and the ileum.

n. the longest part of the alimentary canal; where digestion is completed

The small intestine or small bowel is the part of the gastrointestinal tract between the stomach and the large intestine, and is where most of the digestion and absorption of food takes place. The small intestine has three distinct regions – the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The duodenum receives bile and pancreatic juice through the pancreatic duct, controlled by the sphincter of Oddi. The primary function of the small intestine is the absorption of nutrients and minerals from food.

This article is primarily about the human gastrointestinal tract. The information about its processes is directly applicable to most placental mammals. A major exception to this is the digestive process in ruminants – notably cows. In invertebrates such as worms, the term "large intestine" is often used to describe the entire gastrointestinal tract.

In traditional Chinese medicine the Small Intestine (小肠/大腸) is a fu organ described in the Zang-fu theory concept.

The small intestine governs the separation of the clear from the turbid. The small intestine further digests food decomposed initially by the stomach. The clear, referring to the essence of water and grain and to the large amount of fluid, is absorbed by the spleen and distributed to the whole, body. The turbid is sent downwards to the large intestine, while the useless water is infused to the bladder. The disorders of the small intestine are attributable to failure to separate the clear from the turbid dirt the digesting process, manifesting stool and urinary disturbance, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, scanty urine, etc.

The Small intestine and its paired organ, the Heart, are associated with the element of fire and the emotions of joy or agitation.

Transporting point of SI: Urinary Bladder 27. Conception vessel – anterior midline from perineum to lower lip. This is also the Alarm point for the SI which is called "Gateway to the Source"(guan yuan). Governing vessel is from perineum, to spine to crown of head down to upper lip.

SI Meridian Points (S1-S10): SI-1 (Shao Ze/Lesser Marsh) : Resuscitates, promotes lactation, opens orifices, clears Heat. SI-2 (Qian Gu/Front Valley): Clears Heat, activates the meridian. SI-3 (Hou Xi/Back Stream): Benefits the neck and back, treats malaria activates the meridian. SI-4 (Wan Gu/Wrist Bone): Activates and clears the meridian, resolves Damp-Heat. SI-5 (Yang Gu/Yang Valley): Clears Heat, clears the meridian, reduces swelling. SI-6 (Yang Lao/Nourishing the Aged): Activates the meridian, benefits the eyes, benefits the shoulder and arm, alleviates pain. SI-7 (Zhi Zheng/Branch of the Upright): Activates the meridian, frees obstructions, calms the Shen, clears Heat, alleviates pain. SI-8 (Xiao Hai/Small Sea): Activates the meridian, alleviates pain, clears Heat and Damp-Heat. SI-9 (Jian Zhen/True Shoulder): Activates the meridian, alleviates pain, benefits the shoulder. SI-10 (Nao Shu/Upper Arm Shu): Activates the meridian, alleviates pain, benefits the shoulder.