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Difference Between Small Intestine and Large Intestine, Structure and Function

Difference Between Small Intestine and Large Intestine are that the small intestine absorbs nutrients, is longer, and has villi, while the large intestine absorbs water, is shorter, and forms and stores feces.
authorImageKrati Saraswat29 May, 2025
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Difference Between Small Intestine and Large Intestine

Difference Between Small Intestine and Large Intestine: The human digestive system encompasses the gastrointestinal tract, responsible for the digestion or breakdown of food molecules into smaller components. This tract also referred to as the GI tract or digestive tract, spans from the mouth to the anus, constituting a series of hollow organs arranged in a winding, elongated tube.

An essential component of the digestive system is the solid organs, such as the pancreas, liver, and gallbladder. The mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anus are the hollow organs comprising the GI tract.  The liver, pancreas, and gallbladder are solid accessory organs of the digestive system, playing critical roles in digestion. Explore the difference between small intestine and large intestine in the following article.
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Difference Between Small Intestine and Large Intestine Overview

The digestive system's visible parts, the small and large intestines (colon), are called the intestines. The intestine, sometimes referred to as the bowel or bowels, is the muscular tube that runs from the lower portion of the stomach to the anus. Nutrient absorption from broken-down food and removing waste from the body are major functions of the small and large intestines, respectively. These intestines are connected, but they also show differences.  This page examines the difference between small intestine and large intestine, detailing each organ's unique characteristics.

Difference Between Small Intestine and Large Intestine

The small and large intestines are tube-like structures that extend from the stomach to the anus. They perform distinct functions, with the small intestine responsible for the digestion and absorption of food, and the large intestine facilitating the absorption of water and electrolytes. A more detailed difference between small intestine and large intestine is presented in the table below:

Difference Between Small Intestine and Large Intestine

Characteristics Small Intestine Large Intestine
Location Positioned between the stomach and large intestine. Located after the small intestine, preceding the rectum.
Length Longer, measuring approximately 20 feet or 6 meters. Shorter, with a length of about 5 feet or 1.5 meters.
Diameter Smaller in diameter. Larger in diameter.
Structure Divided into three parts: duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Comprises the cecum, colon (ascending, transverse, descending, and sigmoid), and rectum.
Function Primary site for nutrient absorption and digestion. Absorbs water and electrolytes, as well as forms and stores feces.
Microbial Population Fewer resident bacteria and enzymes. Contains a diverse population of gut bacteria.
Mobility Exhibits more frequent peristalsis, responsible for moving chyme forward. Demonstrates slower peristalsis, mainly for moving and compacting feces.
Absorption of Water and Electrolytes Absorbs most water and nutrients from chyme. Absorbs remaining water and electrolytes from chyme.
Fecal Formation Chyme is liquid, and digestion is mostly complete. Feces are formed, solidified, and shaped.
Absorption of Vitamins and Minerals Absorbs vitamins (e.g., B and fat-soluble vitamins) and minerals (e.g., iron). Minimal absorption of vitamins and minerals, primarily produced by gut bacteria.
Role in Digestion Continues the digestion of food. No significant role in digestion.

Small Intestine

The stomach (the pylorus is the opening between the stomach and small intestine) and the large intestine are connected by the three segments that make up the small intestine:
  1. Duodenum: Through the pylorus, this small intestine's portion takes in partially digested food from the stomach to continue the digestive process. The duodenum utilizes gallbladder, liver, and pancreas bile to aid food digestion.
  2. Jejunum : The jejunum, positioned in the center of the small intestine, uses wave-like muscle contractions to propel food quickly toward the ileum.
  3. Ileum: The ileum is the longest segment of the small intestine, where most nutrients are absorbed from food before entering the large intestine.
Food has already been broken down and turned into a liquid by the stomach before it reaches the small intestine. The small intestine processes one to three gallons (six to twelve liters) of this liquid daily. Acting as the main site of digestion, the small intestine takes in almost all of the nutrients from food and puts them into the bloodstream. The small intestine walls produce digestive juices, or enzymes, which work in tandem with the liver and pancreas' enzymes to accomplish this task. 

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Large intestine

The large intestine, measuring approximately five feet (or 1.5 meters) in length, has a broader structure than the small intestine and follows a more direct course through the abdominal region. Its primary function is to absorb water and salts from undigested material, eliminating remaining waste products. When the mixture of food and digestive fluids reaches the large intestine, most digestion and absorption have already occurred. Residual contents consist primarily of fiber (slowly digesting plant matter), discarded cells from the intestinal lining, salt, bile pigments (which impart color to the digested matter), and water. Within the large intestine, beneficial bacteria thrive on this mixture, producing essential vitamins that are absorbed into the bloodstream and aiding in fiber digestion. The large intestine is composed of distinct segments:
  1. Cecum: The first section of the large intestine, shaped like a pouch and approximately two inches long, receives digested liquid from the ileum and directs it to the colon.
  2. Colon: The main section of the large intestine, responsible for water reabsorption and essential salt absorption. The colon is divided into four segments:
Ascending colon: Contracts muscles to propel undigested waste from the cecum to just below the right lower end of the liver. Transverse colon: Facilitates food movement across the abdominal wall from left to right, just beneath the stomach. Descending colon: Contracts muscles to propel undigested waste from the transverse colon to just above the left hip bone. Sigmoid colon: Contracts muscles to propel undigested waste from the descending colon to the rectum. Descending colon: This portion of the colon propels contents from near the spleen down to the lower left side of the abdomen.
  1. Sigmoid colon: The final S-shaped portion of the colon curves inward amid the coils of the small intestine before emptying into the rectum.
  2. Rectum: The rectum is the final segment of the digestive tract, measuring between 1 to 1.6 inches (or 2.5 to 4 cm). Accumulated waste expands the rectum until the elimination process occurs, ready to be discharged through the anus.
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Difference Between Small Intestine and Large Intestine FAQs

What functions do the small and large intestines serve?

The small intestine moves water from the bloodstream into the GI tract to help break down food. It also absorbs water and nutrients. The large intestine moves more water from the GI tract into the bloodstream.

What is the difference between small intestine and large intestine?

The small intestine absorbs nutrients, while the large intestine absorbs water and electrolytes and produces vitamins. Peyers Patches are found in the small intestine but not in the large intestine. The large intestine facilitates the formation and propulsion of feces toward the rectum for eventual elimination.

Which is larger, the small or large intestine?

Both the small and large intestines are integral components of the human digestive system. The small intestine spans approximately 9–16 feet, while the large intestine is shorter, measuring around 5 feet. These organs, situated in the abdomen, function to absorb nutrients, vitamins, and water.

Does the large intestine eliminate waste?

Yes, the primary role of the large intestine is to extract water from undigested material, forming solid waste (feces) for excretion. The large intestine consists of three parts, with the cecum marking the beginning of this digestive segment.

What is not a function of the large intestine?

Contrary to its responsibilities, the large intestine is not tasked with the absorption of vitamin K, as this function primarily falls within the purview of the small intestine. The large intestine focuses on absorbing water and salt, contributing to the firming of indigestible material.
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