Small intestine vs large intestine: how they differ, in 3D
The small intestine and the large intestine are the two parts of the gut between the stomach and the anus. The small intestine is a long, narrow tube of duodenum, jejunum and ileum coiled in the middle of the abdomen, and most digestion and nutrient absorption happen there. The large intestine is a wider, shorter tube that runs from the caecum through the colon to the rectum, framing the small intestine as it absorbs water and forms stool.
Frequently asked questions
Which is longer, the small or the large intestine?
The small intestine is much longer: about 6 metres in an adult, against about 1.5 metres for the large intestine. The large intestine is named for its greater width, not its length.
Where does the small intestine join the large intestine?
In the lower right of the abdomen, the ileum, the last part of the small intestine, opens into the caecum, the first part of the large intestine, at the ileocaecal valve. The appendix hangs from the caecum just below.
What are the parts of each?
The small intestine has three parts: the duodenum, the jejunum and the ileum. The large intestine is made up of the caecum, the colon and the rectum, and the colon runs on as the ascending, transverse, descending and sigmoid colon.
The organs compared
Parts to look at
Other organ comparisons
More comparisons
Read more
- The human skeleton in 3D
- BAHI BODY 3D human body
- Chronic Disease Is Systemic Breakdown: chapter summaries
- Blog
Related reading
Once the 3D model loads you can turn it and select each part.