Intestinum tenue, also called small intestine, is a vital part of the digestive system that absorbs nutrients from food. The spelling of this word can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription. "Intestinum" is pronounced as /ɪnˈtɛstɪnəm/, with the stress on the second syllable. "Tenue" is pronounced as /ˈtɛnjuː/ with the stress on the first syllable. The combination of the two words makes it a challenging phrase to spell and pronounce correctly. However, understanding the IPA transcription can make it easier to grasp.
Intestinum tenue, also known as the small intestine, is a crucial part of the digestive system in vertebrates, including humans. It is an elongated and narrow tube-like organ located between the stomach and the large intestine in the abdominal cavity. The small intestine plays a vital role in the process of digestion and absorption of nutrients from the food we consume.
The intestine tenue is divided into three distinct segments, namely the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The duodenum is the initial part of the small intestine that receives partially digested food from the stomach through the pyloric sphincter. It is here that the breakdown of food continues with the help of pancreatic enzymes and bile from the liver.
As the food progresses through the jejunum, further digestion and absorption of nutrients occur. The jejunum is characterized by a large number of finger-like projections called villi, which are covered in tiny microvilli. These structures significantly increase the surface area of the small intestine, allowing for efficient nutrient absorption into the bloodstream.
The final segment of the small intestine is the ileum. This is where the absorption of vitamins, minerals, bile salts, and any remaining nutrients takes place. The ileum connects to the large intestine through the ileocecal valve, which controls the flow of undigested food into the colon.
Overall, the intestinum tenue is an essential digestive organ that plays a critical role in the breaking down of food, nutrient absorption, and transportation of waste materials through the gastrointestinal system.
Small intestine, the portion of the digestive tube between the stomach and the cecum or beginning of the large intestine, it consists of three portions, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "intestinum tenue" is derived from Latin.
- "Intestinum" comes from the Latin word "intestinum (viscus)" meaning "intestine". This word stems from the Latin adjective "intestinus", which means "internal" or "that which is within".
- "Tenue" is derived from the Latin adjective "tenuis", meaning "thin" or "fine".
Thus, "intestinum tenue" literally translates to "thin intestine" in Latin. This term refers to the small intestine, which is named as such due to its thin and narrow tube-like structure compared to the large intestine.