INTESTINE Meaning and
Definition
-
The intestine is a vital organ of the digestive system found in most vertebrates, including humans. It is a long, tubular structure that connects the stomach to the anus. The organ is divided into two main parts - the small intestine and the large intestine.
The small intestine, which is narrow and coiled, is the longest part of the intestine. It receives partially digested food from the stomach and further breaks it down using digestive enzymes. The inner wall of the small intestine is lined with millions of tiny finger-like projections called villi, which greatly increase the surface area for absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream.
The large intestine, on the other hand, is wider and shorter than the small intestine. It primarily serves to absorb water and electrolytes from indigestible food remnants, forming feces. It also plays a role in bacterial fermentation and the synthesis of certain vitamins. The large intestine leads to the rectum, where feces are stored until they are expelled during defecation.
Overall, the intestine functions to break down food, absorb essential nutrients, and eliminate waste from the body. It is a crucial component of the digestive process and supports overall health and well-being.
-
The digestive tube passing from the stomach to the anus. It is divided primarily into the small i. (intestinum tenue) and the large i. (intestinum crassum); the small i. is further divided arbitrarily into duodenum, jejunum, and ileum; the large i. is divided into cecum and appendix, ascending, transverse, descending, and sigmoid colon, and rectum. The duodenum is separated from the stomach by the pylorus or pyloric valve, and the ileum is separated from the cecum by the ileocecal valve, valvula coli.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
-
Contained internally in the animal body; domestic; not foreign.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for INTESTINE *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for INTESTINE
Etymology of INTESTINE
The word "intestine" originated from the Latin word "intestinus", which means "internal", "inward", or "hidden". The Latin word derived from the earlier Latin term "tĕstis", which referred to the testicles. This connection is due to the similarity in shape between the intestines and the testicles. Eventually, "intestinus" was adopted into Old French as "intestin", and then into Middle English as "intestine", which specifically referred to the internal part of the body.
Similar spelling words for INTESTINE
- industrial,
- indistinct,
- small-intestine,
- intestate,
- industrious,
- indexation,
- endstone,
- integrating,
- indigestible,
- Antistine,
- indexing,
- indigestion,
- intestinal,
- antacidin,
- intestino,
- integer,
- in this,
- intestin,
- Antasten.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
