What is the average length of intestines

Skip to main content. Certainty Style Key. Certainty styling is being phased out topic by topic. Hover over keys for definitions:. What is MOCA? Human Uniqueness Compared to "Great Apes":. The primary function of the large intestine is to reabsorb fluids, electrolytes, and vitamins and then form and propel feces toward the rectum for elimination.

It contains four distinct parts:. As with the small intestine, the total length of the large intestine varies from person to person. Heavier people, younger people, and males generally have longer intestines. In most people, it is about 5 ft long. The colon is the longest part of the large intestine, while the cecum measures about 2.

The rectum is about 7. Some people with certain health conditions may need to undergo a colon resection , or colectomy, to remove part of or the whole large intestine. People who find it difficult to visualize the length of the intestines may find these comparisons helpful:.

The length of the intestines can vary greatly among individuals. Research suggests that the combined length of the small and large intestines is at least 15 ft in length. The small intestine can measure about 9—16 ft, while the large intestine is roughly 5 ft long. The intestines have the important role of helping break down and absorb nutrients from food and drink.

Learn more about the parts, dimensions, and functions of the intestines. The ileum is the longest section while the duodenum is the shortest. This terminology actually refers to the diameter of the small intestine, which is about 1 inch around 2.

Despite its small diameter, the small intestine actually has a very high surface area. This increased surface area allows for more absorption of nutrients and water. Additionally, bacteria found in the large intestine can help to further break down any remaining nutrients. Vitamins such as vitamin K are also produced in the large intestine.

There are also some specific health conditions that can affect the large intestine. Some of the most common include:. The large intestine is about 5 feet 1.

If you stretched out your large intestine, it would be about as long as the width of a queen size bed. The colon is the longest portion of your large intestine. The other parts — the cecum, rectum, and anus — are all much shorter, only a few inches in length at the most. The large intestine also has a larger diameter than the small intestine.

According to a study , the total surface area of your intestines is about half the size of a badminton court. Your intestines have the very important job of helping to break down and absorb nutrients from what you eat and drink. Tell us what you think about our website - send an email to feedback chp. With m y CHP, you can request appointments, review test results, and more.

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What Is the Small Intestine? The small intestine is made up of three segments, which form a passage from your stomach the opening between your stomach and small intestine is called the pylorus to your large intestine: Duodenum: This short section is the part of the small intestine that takes in semi-digested food from your stomach through the pylorus, and continues the digestion process.

The duodenum also uses bile from your gallbladder, liver, and pancreas to help digest food. Jejunum: The middle section of the small intestine carries food through rapidly, with wave-like muscle contractions, towards the ileum. Ileum: This last section is the longest part of your small intestine.

The ileum is where most of the nutrients from your food are absorbed before emptying into the large intestine. How can the small intestine digest so much? The small intestine has three features which allow it to have such a huge absorptive surface area packed into a relatively small space: Mucosal folds: The inner surface of the small intestine is not flat, but thrown into circular folds.

This not only increases the surface area, but helps regulate the flow of digested food through your intestine. Villi: The folds form numerous tiny projections which stick out into the open space inside your small intestine or lumen , and are covered with cells that help absorb nutrients from the food that passes through. Microvilli: The cells on the villi are packed full of tiny hairlike structures called microvilli. This helps increase the surface of each individual cell, meaning that each cell can absorb more nutrients.