The long small intestine

The idea

The small intestine, about 6 metres long, is the longest part of the alimentary canal; it receives digestive secretions from its own inner lining and from the liver and the pancreas.

Small or long?

The small intestine has the word small in its name.

Is it the shortest part of the alimentary canal?

• No, it is the longest part
• Yes, it is the shortest part
• It is as long as the food pipe

Unroll it

Press Unroll. Then tap the Lining, the Liver and the Pancreas.

Longest, and three helpers

The small intestine is about 6 metres long, almost twice the height of a classroom. It gets digestive secretions from three sources.

The small intestine, about 6 metres long, is the longest part of the alimentary canal. It receives digestive secretions from its own inner lining and from the liver and the pancreas.

• Part of the canal | About how long
• Small intestine | 6 m
• Large intestine | 1.5 m

Notes

The small intestine, about 6 metres long, is the longest part of the alimentary canal. It receives digestive secretions from its own inner lining and from the liver and the pancreas.

Check yourself

About how long is the small intestine?

Answer: 6 m

The small intestine is almost 6 metres long.

Which is the longest part of the alimentary canal?

The small intestine gets secretions from its own lining, the pancreas and the …

From how many sources does the small intestine receive secretions?

• The food pipe. The food pipe is much shorter than the small intestine.
• The small intestine — correct. Yes!
• The large intestine. The large intestine is about 1.5 m long, shorter than the small intestine.
• tongue. The tongue helps mix and push food. The liver gives bile.
• heart. The heart pumps blood. It does not give digestive secretions.
• liver — correct. Yes!
• Three — correct. Yes!
• One. It has more than one source: its own lining, the liver and the pancreas.
• Two. There are three sources: its own lining, the liver and the pancreas.