How is the Small Intestine Different from the Large Intestine?

As people age, they may suffer from bowel or rectal problems and irritation. Unfortunately, a number of people who seek treatment for these issues is too low due to stigma, a lack of knowledge, and fear of embarrassment. Anorectal surgery in Kolkata is very effective to correct these issues because no one should have to live with physical discomfort, pain, and other possible complications. The digestive tract is made up of the small intestine, large intestine, and rectum.

The small intestine and large intestine together form a continuous long tube that stretches from the stomach to the anus. Their purpose is to process and absorb nutrients and water from the food that we eat. The small intestine is about 20 feet long and 1 inch in diameter. Because its diameter is smaller, it is called the small intestine. We separate it into three parts: the duodenum, the jejunum, and the ileum.

Duodenum: This section of the small intestine receives semi-digested food from the stomach through what is called the “pylorus”. The process of digestion continues here. The duodenum uses bile from the gallbladder, liver, and pancreas to do so.

Jejunum: This section carries food through rapidly with muscle contractions that are called peristalsis. Peristalsis also occurs in the throat to deliver food from the mouth to the stomach. Food is propelled from the jejunum to the ileum.

Ileum: This is the longest part of the small intestine. Most of the nutrients are absorbed from our food in this section, before being emptied into the large intestine.

The large intestine is actually shorter in length than the small intestine. It is only about five feet long, one-fourth the length of the small intestine. However, the diameter of the large intestines is three inches, hence why it is called “large”. The large intestine is also called the colon, and it absorbs water and salt from whatever we consume. There are millions of good bacteria in the large intestine, and it is separated into four main parts. The ileum (last part of the small intestine) connects to the cecum.

• The ascending colon moves up the right part of the abdomen.
• The transverse colon moves horizontally across the abdomen.
• The descending colon goes down the left abdomen.
• The sigmoid colon is a short section of the colon. It is just before the rectum.
• The rectum is the final section of the digestive system and leads to the anus. It is about eight inches long.

The digestive tract is very important to the proper function of the human body. If it is working incorrectly, it may lead to problems such as inadequate absorption of nutrients, intense pain, infection, and more. That is why it is recommended that if a patient is suffering from anorectal problems, they take the proactive step and have anorectal surgery at Kolkata, so that they can live a healthier, happier, pain-free life.