The small intestine

• Food enters the small intestine through the pyloric sphincter
• The small intestine has 2 main functions - the completion of digestion and the absorption of nutrients into the blood
• A number of different enzymes are secreted into the small intestine by other structures to help complete digestion
• The structure of the small intestine to its main function of the absorption of nutrients into the blood
• The lining of the small intestine is highly folded and has tiny finger-like projections called villi
• Within each villi there are a number of blood capillaries so that nutrients can pass a very short distance into the blood