adaptions of ileum

• Ileum

  The site of absorption in the small intestine
• Absorption in the ileum

  1. Small soluble products of digestion cross the ileum wall

  2. Enter the blood capillaries by diffusion
• adaptions of ileum - 2

  ileum has thin permeable membranes:

  -creates short diffusion path

  -allows products of digestion to move into blood stream
• adaptions of ileum - 3

  ileum has excellent blood supply:

  -important in maintaining diffusion gradient which ensures products of digestion are absorbed quickly
• adaptions of ileum - 1

  large surface area created by:

  -length of ileum (3m)

  -ileum is folded to fit inside abdomen

  -inner surface of ileum has outgrowths called villi