Small intestine extract nutrients with the help of

The inner surface of the intestine is made of mucosal folds, or folds covered in mucus, like the stomach. These folds mix food and crimp the intestine to provide large surface area. The surface of these folds are covered with villi, or small hairs that contains cells that will extract nutrients. The surface of villi is covered with epithelial cells, and the surface of these is covered in microvilli. Together, these elements allow the intestine to be capable to ingesting huge amounts of food.