The intestine is the portion of the alimentary canal extending from the stomach to the anus and, in humans and mammals, consists of two segments, the small intestine and the large intestine. In humans, the small intestine is further subivided into the duodenum, jejunum and ileum while the large intestine is subdivided into the cecum, colon and rectum. The intestine is the part of the body responsible for extracting nutrition from food. While the stomach's role mainly consists in "breaking" food molecules into nutrients, the intestine allows these nutrient ...

Including:

• Intestine - Diseases of the intestine

Read more here: » Intestine: Encyclopedia - Intestine

See also:

Intestine, Intestine - Diseases of the intestine, Intestine - Disorders of the intestine

Read more here: » Intestine: Encyclopedia II - Intestine - Diseases of the intestine

Intestine: Also called bowels, the portion of the digestive tract between the stomach and anus.

In humans the intestine is divided into two major sections: the small intestine, which is about 6 m long, where the most extensive part of digestion occurs and where most food products are absorbed; and the large intestine, which has a larger diameter and is about 1.5 m long, where water is absorbed and from which solid waste material is excreted.

Food and waste material are moved along the length of the intestine by rhythmic contractions of intestinal muscles; these contractions are called peristaltic movements.

(See also: Intestine, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

VIP is a peptide hormone containing 28 amino acid residues. Its role in the intestine is to greatly stimulate secretion of water and electrolytes, as well as dilating intestinal smooth muscle, dilating peripheral blood vessels, and inhibiting gastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion. It is also found in the brain and some autonomic nerves. One region of the brain includes a specific region of the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN), which is the location of the 'master pacemaker'. Given that the SCN is responsible for detecting ambie ...

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Bentonite Clay and its spiritual properties: Intestinal cleanse of the colon is strongly recommended by Kalki and The Golden Age Foundation in order to be fully receptive for pranic energy. It is so vital that it should be the mandatory preparation before all deeper spiritual processes and as a continous maintenance of the body as an antenna of cosmic energies. Bentonite (also available at many pharmacies under alternative substance names to bentonite: bentonitum, montmorillonite) is believed to have exceptionally properties. This article from www.alternativemedicine.com desribes the genereal properties and use of bentonite.

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Bile (or gall) is a bitter, greenish-yellow alkaline fluid secreted by the liver of most vertebrates. In many species, it is stored in the gallbladder between meals and upon eating is discharged into the duodenum where it aids the process of digestion. Bile - Physiology. Bile salts are steroid compounds (deoxycholic and cholic acid), often conjugated with glycine and taurine, and act to some extent as a detergent, helping to emulsify fats (increasing surface area to help enzyme action) ...

Including:

• Bile - Physiology
• Bile - Four humours

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Nutrition is the study of the relationship between diet and states of health and disease. It is defined as the study of food. Absence of adequate nutrients can cause certain diseases to take hold that can potentially result in death. Between the extremes of optimal health and death from starvation or malnutrition, there is an array of disease states that can be caused or alleviated by changes in diet. Deficiencies, excesses and imbalances in the diet can produce negative impacts on health, which may result in diseases such as s ...

Including:

• Nutrition - Overview
• Nutrition - History of nutrition
• Nutrition - Nutrition and health
• Nutrition - Fatty acids
• Nutrition - Sugar
• Nutrition - Intestinal bacterial flora
• Nutrition - Nutrition and sports
• Nutrition - Nutrition and longevity
• Nutrition - Calorie restriction
• Nutrition - The French paradox
• Nutrition - Nutrition, industry and food processing
• Nutrition - Policy advice and guidance on nutrition
• Nutrition - Current issues and challenges

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Feces (American English) or fæces (Commonwealth English) are semi-solid waste products from an animal digestive tract expelled through the anus (or cloaca) during defecation. In humans, defecation may occur (depending on the individual and the circumstances) from once every two or three days to many times a day. Hardening of the feces may cause prolonged interruption in the usual routine and is called constipation. The word faeces is the plural of the Latin word faex meaning "dregs". There is no sin ...

Including:

• Feces - Related terminology
• Feces - Fecal contamination
• Feces - Human feces

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Chylomicrons are large lipoprotein particles (having a diameter of 75 to 1,200nm) that are created by the absorptive cells of the small intestine. Chylomicrons transport lipids to adipose tissue where they are broken down by lipoprotein lipase. The way from the intestines to the adipose tissue is this: The chylomicrons are released by exocytosis from enterocytes into lacteals, lymphatic vessels originating in the villi of the small intestine, and are then secreted into the bloodstream, at the place where the lymphatic system falls int

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An anastomosis (plural anastomoses) is a connection between two structures, organs or spaces. It commonly refers to connections between blood vessel or another tubular structure such as a loop of intestine. For example, when a segment of intestine is resected, the two remaining ends are sewn or stapled together (anastomosed), and the procedure is referred to as an intestinal anastomosis. Including:

• Anastomosis - Circulatory anastomoses
• Anastomosis - Surgical anastomoses
• Anastomosis - Others

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Whipple's disease is a rare disease caused by the bacteria Tropheryma whipplei. It was first described by George Hoyt Whipple in 1907. Whipple's disease - Symptoms. arthritis malabsorption intestinal lipodystrophy (accumulation of fatty deposits in lymph nodes of the intestine) lymphadenopathy abdominal pain diarrhea fever Whipple's disease - Diagnosis. Diagnosis is made by intestinal biopsy, ...

Including:

• Whipple's disease - Symptoms
• Whipple's disease - Diagnosis
• Whipple's disease - Treatment

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Enteritis is the inflammation of the small intestine (inflammation of the large intestine is termed colitis, while enterocolitis refers to an inflammation of both the large and small intestine.). Enteritis - Signs and symptoms. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, abdominal distension and hematochezia. If there is vomiting, gastroenteritis is the more correct diagnosis. Enteropathy Enteritis - Diagnosis. Generally a good h ...

Including:

• Enteritis - Signs and symptoms
• Enteritis - Diagnosis
• Enteritis - Treatment

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The abdominal cavity is the cavity of the human body (and other animal bodies) that holds the bulk of the viscera and which is located below (or posterior to) the thoracic cavity. Organs of the abdominal cavity include the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, urinary bladder, small intestine and large intestine. The kidneys are located not in the abdominal cavity but behind it. The abdominal cavity is lined with a protective membrane termed the peritoneum. The viscera are also covered, in the front, wi ...

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A bile duct is any of a number of long tube-like structures that carry bile. Bile, required for the digestion of food, is excreted by the liver into passages that carry bile toward the hepatic duct, which joins with the cystic duct (carrying bile to and from the gallbladder) to form the common bile duct, which opens into the intestine. The top half of the common bile duct is associated with the liver, while the bottom half of the common bile duct is associated with the pancreas, through which it passes on its way to the intestine. It opens in the part of the intestine called the duoden ...

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In anatomy of the digestive system, the cecum or caecum is a pouch connected to the large intestine between the ileum. It is separated from the ileum by the ileocecal valve (ICV) or Bauhin's valve, and is considered to be the beginning of the large intestine and part of the colon. Its primary function is to absorb water and salts from undigested food. It has a muscular wall that c ...

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An antispasmodic is a drug that suppresses smooth muscle contraction, especially in tubular organs. The effect is to prevent spasms of the stomach, intestine or bladder. Typically these drugs are anticholinergics. Other related archivesanticholinergics, drug, muscle

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Andouille (pronounced ahn-DWEE or ahn-DOO-ee) is a spicy heavily smoked sausage made from pork. Several variations exist that use different combinations of pork meat, fat, intestines and tripe. Originally from France or Germany (the exact origin is uncertain), the most well known variety in the US is the Cajun style. French andouille is traditionally made of pork intestines and tripe. It is heavily seasoned and smoked though not as spicy as the Cajun variety. The German andouilles are made only in certain regions of Germany. They are made from remaining intestines and casings that are seasoned ...

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In anatomy of the digestive system, the colon or large intestine or large bowel is the part of the intestine from the cecum to the rectum. Its primary purpose is to extract water from feces. In mammals, it consists of the cecum, ascending colon and approximately the first two-thirds of the transverse colon on the right (or proximal) side and the last third of the transverse colon to the splenic flexure, the descending colon, the sigmo ...

Including:

• Ascending colon - Diseases of the colon
• Ascending colon - Role in digestion

Read more here: » Ascending colon: Encyclopedia - Ascending colon

In anatomy of the digestive system, the colon, also called the large intestine or large bowel, is the part of the intestine from the cecum to the rectum. Its primary purpose is to extract water from feces. In mammals, it consists of the cecum, ascending colon and approximately the first two-thirds of the transverse colon on the right (or proximal) side and the last third of the transverse colon to the splenic flexure, the descending colon, the sigmo ...

Including:

• Colon anatomy - Role in digestion
• Colon anatomy - Diseases of the colon

Read more here: » Colon anatomy: Encyclopedia - Colon anatomy

In the small intestine, proteins are changed into amino acids; fats are changed into fatty acids; and carbohydrates are changed into sugars. The small intestine is also where most of the nutrients from ingested food are absorbed. (From Encyclopædia Britannica School Edition) The largest amount of water from the chylus (the substance that comes from the stomach) is absorbed in the small intestine ...

See also:

Small intestine, Small intestine - Functions, Small intestine - Small Intestine Disorders

Read more here: » Small intestine: Encyclopedia II - Small intestine - Functions