Functions of the Small Intestine

• The layer of muscles in the wall of the small intestine causes peristaltic movements, which moves the chyme forward and ensures that it becomes thoroughly mixed with digestive juices
• Glands in the duodenal wall (crypts of Lieberkuhn and Brunner glands) secrete digestive juices (intestinal juice) which play a role in digestion
• The small intestine has millions of villi to increase the surface area for the absorption of digested nutrients