Tag: digestion in small intestine

The sphincter of Oddi (or hepatopancreatic sphincter) controls the flow of bile and pancreatic juice into the duodenum. When closed, bile is diverted back to the gallbladder.

Intrinsic factor is a glycoprotein produced by the parietal cells of the stomach, which is essential for the absorption of Vitamin B12 in the ileum.

Peyer's patches are aggregated lymphoid nodules found specifically in the submucosa of the ileum, which is part of the small intestine.

The mucosa of the duodenum contains absorptive cells (enterocytes), goblet cells (secreting mucus), and argentaffin (enteroendocrine) cells, which produce hormones like secretin and CCK.

The ileum is characterized by the presence of Peyer's patches and club-shaped villi. Brunner's glands are a characteristic feature of the duodenum, not the ileum.

Bile salts are synthesized in the liver, stored in the gall bladder, and aid in fat digestion in the small intestine before being actively reabsorbed specifically in the terminal ileum. This process is known as the enterohepatic circulation of bile salts. Other nutrients like glucose and fats are mostly absorbed in the duodenum and jejunum.

The semi-digested, acidic food mass that moves from the stomach into the duodenum is called chyme.

The duodenum is an endocrine organ that produces hormones such as secretin, cholecystokinin (CCK), and enterogastrone to regulate digestion.

Bile salts are amphipathic molecules that emulsify large fat globules into smaller droplets, increasing the surface area for lipase enzymes to act upon.

Cholecystokinin (CCK) and secretin are produced by enteroendocrine cells located in the mucosa of the duodenum.