Intestinal Absorption — Aspects of Structure, Function and Disease of the Small-Intestine Mucosa

MalabsorptionIt is apparent from the preceding discussion that intestinal absorption is the net result of many interdependent physicochemical and biochemical reactions. Since these reactions are potentially vulnerable to disruption by one or more pathologic processes, the general mechanisms that may be responsible for malabsorption are numerous and varied. These mechanisms have been well described and categorized in recent reviews,117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 and this discussion will not enter upon malabsorption caused by impaired digestive function, deranged motility, excessive secretion (exudative enteropathy) or inadequate small-bowel absorptive surface curtailed by inflammation, infiltration or ablation. Instead, emphasis will be placed on certain aspects of the . . .