Site-specific nutrient absorption sites in small bowel
Core concept
- Small bowel absorption is site-specific - localises disease from the nutrient deficiency pattern
- Duodenum: iron, calcium, folate, fat-soluble vitamins (with bile/pancreatic enzymes)
- Jejunum: carbohydrates, protein, most water-soluble vitamins, folate (bulk absorption)
- Terminal ileum: vitamin B12 (intrinsic factor-bound), bile salts (enterohepatic circulation) - the only two absorbed there and nowhere else
3 more sections, plus exam facts
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