In what order do the following sections of the small intestine pass food?

The small intestine consists of three distinct sections that play vital roles in digestion and nutrient absorption: the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The correct order of these sections, as food passes through them, starts with the duodenum, followed by the jejunum, and then the ileum.

The duodenum is the first segment where food mixes with digestive juices from the pancreas and bile from the liver, which are essential for breaking down food components. After the duodenum, the partially digested food, now called chyme, moves into the jejunum, where the majority of nutrient absorption occurs. Finally, the chyme enters the ileum, which is responsible for absorbing remaining nutrients and bile salts before the contents are passed on to the large intestine. This sequential process is important for efficient digestion and maximizing nutrient uptake.

Understanding this order is crucial not just for anatomy but also for grasping how disruptions in this sequence can lead to digestive issues or nutrient deficiencies.