The skinny gut is one of the sections of the small intestine, the length of which is about 4-5 meters. The small intestine includes the duodenum, followed by the skinny, and only then - the ileum. The intestine is covered on all sides by a membrane, which is called the peritoneum and is attached to the back wall of the abdomen using the mesentery. The human jejunum is located in the left half of the abdominal cavity. It is projected onto the anterior abdominal wall in the umbilical region, on the sides of the abdomen, and also in the left iliac fossa. The intestinal loops are located in horizontal and oblique directions. The length of the jejunum is 2/5 of the total length of the small intestine. In comparison with the ileum, the lean one has thicker walls and a larger diameter of the inner lumen. It also differs in the number of villi and folds that are located in the lumen, in the number of vessels, which are larger, but lymphoid elements, on the contrary, are smaller. There are no clear boundaries for the transition of one section of the intestine to another.
Wall structure
From the outside, the intestine is covered with a special membrane throughout. This is the peritoneum, protecting it and smoothing the friction of the intestinal loops against each other. The peritoneum converges in the back of the intestine, and so the mesentery of the jejunum forms. It is in it that the vessels and nerves, as well as the
lymphatic capillaries , which feed the intestine and carry away from it not only the nutrients needed by the body, but also the toxic decay products, which the liver then neutralizes, pass through it.
The second layer is smooth muscle tissue, which, in turn, forms two layers of fibers. Outside are longitudinal fibers, and inside are circular. Due to their contraction and relaxation, the chyme (the food that was exposed to the active substances of the digestive tract in the previous sections) passes through the intestinal lumen and gives the body all the beneficial substances. The process of successive contraction and relaxation of the fibers is called peristalsis.
Functionally important layer
The previous two layers provide normal function and protection, but the whole process of food absorption occurs in the last two. Under the muscle layer is located the submucosal layer, it is in it that the lean intestine has blood lymphatic capillaries, accumulations of lymphatic tissue. The mucous layer protrudes into the lumen in the form of folds, due to which the suction surface becomes larger. Additionally, the surface of the mucous membrane is increased by villi, you can see them only under a microscope, but their role here is very important. They provide a constant flow of nutrients to the body.
Villi
The villi are processes of the mucosa, the diameter of which is only one millimeter. Their cylindrical epithelium covers them, and in the center are the lymphatic and blood capillaries. Also, the glands that are in the mucosa release many active substances, mucus, hormones, enzymes, which contribute to the process of digestion of food. The capillary network simply penetrates the mucous membrane and passes into the venules, merging, they, together with other vessels, form the
portal vein, which carries blood to the liver.
The function that the skinny gut performs
The main function of the intestine is the processing and absorption of food that has previously been processed by previous sections of the digestive tract. Food here consists of amino acids, which used to be proteins, monosaccharides, formerly carbohydrates, as well as fatty acids and glycerin (what lipids turned into). The structure of the jejunum involves the presence of villi, it is thanks to them that all this enters the body and can be used as nutritious material. Amino acids and monosaccharide enter the liver, where they further transform and then enter the large circle of blood circulation, fats are absorbed by the lymphatic capillaries, and then enter the lymphatic vessels, and from there they disperse with lymph flow throughout the body. Everything that has not passed the test for usefulness in the jejunum enters further sections of the intestine, in which the feces are finally formed.
From the norm to the disease - one step
The skinny gut has many functions and, in the absence of failures or diseases, functions normally without causing any particular problems. But if a failure occurs, then you should contact a specialist in time. It is difficult to examine the jejunum, like the entire small intestine, and analyzes are of great importance. First of all, it is worth examining feces, which can tell you exactly which failure occurred in the intestines. But also banal examination and palpation (palpation) will not be superfluous.
There can be a lot of options for problems in the jejunum, but the main place is occupied by the pathology of a surgical, therapeutic and infectious nature. The treatment depends on this, as well as the choice of a specialist who will help get rid of the disease.
What to go to the surgeon with?
It is worth contacting this specialist with diseases, the treatment of which will require surgical intervention. Oncology takes precedence here, malignant and benign processes can be very diverse, and their names depend on which cells the pathologist finds in their composition. Tumor growth can be both in the lumen of the wall, and out. When growth goes into the lumen, bleeding or obstruction occurs, which requires immediate surgery.
There may also be intestinal obstruction, which is caused by cramping, blockage of the intestinal lumen, or intussusception (when one part of the intestine penetrates the other). Surgical treatment in this variant of the disease of the jejunum also requires surgical intervention urgently. Obstruction may also be in other parts of the intestine, then a survey radiography of the abdomen becomes important, which will help to correctly establish the diagnosis.
Often there is such a pathology as diverticulitis. This is an inflammation of the process of the jejunum, which is called a diverticulum. Normally, he is not, and his presence is a congenital pathology. With its inflammation, timely diagnosis is required, which includes complaints of pain, fever, tension of the abdominal muscles. The final diagnosis is made on the operating table, and then confirmed by a pathologist.
Other diseases
The jejunum can bring a lot of problems that the surgeon will have to deal with. Sometimes, delay in making the correct diagnosis can lead to the death of the patient. What is Crohn's disease, which can result in bleeding, abscesses and other complications. Some ailments can lead to impaired function of the jejunum, and in order to restore them, surgical intervention is also required. For example, the adhesion process of the abdominal cavity, especially in places where this section of the small intestine is located, may require surgical excision of adhesions. Surgical treatment tactics are also used for helminthic invasion, when the lumen is clogged with a ball of helminths.
And with what to go to the therapist?
The therapist also has something to work on. He, of course, has less work than the surgeon, but she is no less responsible. All diseases and inflammatory changes occurring in the jejunum lie on the shoulders of this specialist. These are colitis, which can be acute and chronic, irritable bowel syndrome and other pathologies. The use of a scalpel for these diseases is not required, but correctly and correctly prescribed treatment will help get rid of the disease and restore the joy of life.
The infection does not sleep
It is no secret that the lean intestine contains a huge number of microorganisms in its lumen. Among them are good and good for the body, and there are bad ones who are constantly trying to do harm. The immune system restrains the onslaught of pathogenic microflora, but sometimes it does not cope with its main task, and then infectious diseases begin. Often in the body there can be unwanted neighbors, helminths strive to get into an excellent habitat, which is their skinny gut.
Many diseases can develop in the lumen of the small intestine, such as dysentery, cholera, typhoid fever, salmonellosis, and many others. The symptoms that they cause vary, but they have similarities - this is diarrhea. It can have a different color and smell, with or without impurities, as well as with blood or water. The final point in the determination of the pathogen will put a bacteriological study of the excreted material. Then, based on the sensitivity of the pathogen to antibacterial drugs, appropriate treatment is prescribed. It is also possible to identify helminths, for this it is worth passing feces for analysis, and only an infectious disease specialist will help get rid of them.