This story is part of a series exploring human anatomy and physiology complexities. Each story in this collection showcases discoveries reshaping our understanding of the body's inner workings, ...

The human small intestine is an essential organ that helps us absorb nutrients and vitamins from food. It is an average of 6 meters long and is covered with millions of villi that are separated by ...

When it comes to intestines, it sure seems like two are better than one. I asked my friend Franck Carbonero why that is. He’s a microbiologist at Washington State University. He studies the bacteria ...

Villi are tiny projections in the small intestine that help absorb nutrients and aid digestion. Damage to your villi can lead ...

Chemical digestion occurs when the body uses enzymes to break down certain molecules, such as carbohydrates. This process allows the bloodstream to absorb smaller molecules to transport around the ...

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) affects how well the small intestine absorbs nutrients. Surgery, medications, and nutritional support are all part of a comprehensive treatment plan for this condition. SBS ...

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a rare condition in which the body cannot absorb enough nutrients because part of the small intestine is missing or not working as well as it should be. This can lead to ...

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) occurs when a large portion of the small intestine is missing, damaged, or affected by disease, making it difficult to absorb nutrients and fluids. Treatment varies by stage ...

Much of the food you eat is absorbed by your digestive system, which includes your stomach and your intestines. But some of what you eat makes it all the way through those twists and turns and comes ...