What is the pH in the small intestine?
1 Answer
May 7, 2017
The pH in the small intestine increases from pH 6 in he deudenum to pH 7.8 in the distal end of the ileum.
Explanation:
The deudenum (first part of the small intestine) does not have a mucous lining like the stomach. Hence it cannot tolerate the low pH introduced by the chyme. In order to neutralise the pH, the liver secretes bile and pancreas secrete bicarbonate into the deudenum and bring the pH up to a range of 5 to 6.
The jejunum, situated right after the deudenum, is about 10 feet in length and has a pH between 7 and 8.
The jejunum is followed by a 10 feet long ileum, again with a pH in the range of 7 and 8.
