Question

Does mechanical digestion increase the internal surface area of the small intestine?

Answer 1

No.

Explanation:

“Mechanical” digestion is the physical breakdown of food substances – in contrast with the chemical breakdown from enzymatic digestion. It increases the external surface area of the food particles to enhance the chemical digestion.

Most, if not all “mechanical digestion” takes place in the mouth and stomach. The intestines do the chemical digestion of the broken-down food particles. The small intestine surface area may move in the process – unfolding or wrinkling like a towel used to dry off, but the actual total surface area does not change.

See also: http://www.e-missions.net/cybersurgeons/?/dig_teacher/