The human intestines, comprised of the small and large intestines, have a combined length of roughly 14-21 feet.
Here's a breakdown of the length of each part:
- Small Intestine: This is the longer portion, measuring approximately 9–16 feet (2.7–4.9 meters) in length. It's where most of the nutrient absorption takes place.
- Large Intestine: Shorter than the small intestine, the large intestine is about 5 feet (1.5 meters) long. Its primary function is to absorb water and electrolytes from undigested material.
Therefore, adding the average lengths together (12.5 feet for the small intestine and 5 feet for the large intestine) gives an estimated total length of about 17.5 feet. The precise length can vary between individuals.
