Small Intestine of the cat

The small intestine is a tube-like structure, which extends between the stomach and large intestine. It is the longest portion of the intestinal tract and is about two and a half times the animal's total body length. An animal twenty-four inches long would have about sixty inches of small intestine.

 

The small intestine in the cat has three parts. The first portion, which attaches to the stomach, is the duodenum. The middle (and longest) portion is called the jejunum. The shortest part is the ileum, which connects to the large intestine.

The duodenum attaches to the stomach and is relatively short. It does, however, have very important functions. The gallbladder and pancreas connect to the duodenum by the bile and pancreatic ducts respectively. Enzymes and other secretions that are important for digestion are produced by the liver and pancreas and pass through these ducts to mix with the food in the duodenum.

 

The jejunum is the longest area of the small intestine and is rich in small, finger-like projections called villi. Villi protrude inward into the food contents and provide a large surface area to absorb nutrients. Intestinal contents of the jejunum empty into the ileum and from there pass into the large intestine.

 

Diseases of the small intestine are usually not confined to just one area and are therefore simply discussed as small intestinal disorders.