The small intestine

The food becomes fluid and the absorption of nutriment and vitamins starts in the small intestine. Incidentally, the small intestine is 6-7 meters long. In the large intestine and the rectum the remaining liquids, mineral salts and vitamins are absorbed from the food.

The large intestine

Undigested food therefore has a firmer consistency when it leaves the large intestine and is now referred to as stools or faeces. The stomach as well as the small and the large intestine are all located in the abdominal cavitiy. The large intestine begins in the lower, right-hand side of the abdomen. It ascends and crosses over from the right side of the abdomen to left from where it descends again to end in the rectum.