Abstract
The structure of the small intestine clearly expresses the main function of this organ: absorption of nutrients introduced with the diet. The absorptive surface is extremely large due to the length of the tube, the amplification of the surface by conniventes valvulae, a further amplification by villi, and another amplification by microvilli.
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Suggested reading
Bonvicini F, Zoli G, Maltarello MC, Bianchi D, Pasquinelli G, Versura P, Gasbarrini G, Laschi R (1985) Clinical applications of scanning electron microscopy in gastrointestinal diseases. Scanning Electron Microsc III: 1279–1294
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Rubin W (1991) Small intestine: anatomy and structural anomalies. In: Yamada T (ed) Textbook of gastroenterology. Lippincott, Philadelphia, pp 1409–1424
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© 1998 Springer-Verlag Italia, Milano
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Bonvicini, F., Baraldini, M. (1998). The small bowel: structure and function. In: Rossini, F.P., Gay, G.J. (eds) Atlas of Enteroscopy. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2191-4_1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2191-4_1
Publisher Name: Springer, Milano
Print ISBN: 978-88-470-2193-8
Online ISBN: 978-88-470-2191-4
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive