Abstract

The small intestine is part of the gastrointestinal tract that interconnects the stomach at one end to the large intestine at the other end. As the bolus containing meal traverses the intestinal segments it undergoes rheological transformation as a consequence of digestive processes such as alkaline buffering, micelle formation, absorption of nutrients and water [1]. As the chyme (mixture of meal and gastric juice) enters the stomach through the pylorus (a valve interconnecting the stomach and the small intestine), the duodenum (first segment of the small intestine) responds to the acidic content of the chyme by buffering them with alkaline secretion of pancreas. Buffering action results in lowering the pH value of the contents, so the meal can be processed for further breakdown. Mucus secretion (a thick protective fluid) by the duodenal mucosa helps protect the mucosal layer from ulceration (acidic damage). Bile secretion of the gall bladder helps in dissolving the fat contents through micelle formation, a mechanism necessary to increase the surface area for lipases (an enzyme) to digest the fat. While the small intestine facilitates the mechanical and chemical digestion of food to its simpler form so they can be absorbed by the intestine, it also helps propel the digesta for excretion.