104 HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY CHAP, vm 



From the stomach some peptones are absorbed in addition to 

 the above. The small intestine is the most important organ 

 of absorption, for from it fats and oils are absorbed by the lac- 

 teals, and peptones, sugars, water, and salt by the capillaries. 

 From the large intestine water and salt are absorbed. 



4. In the cells of the villi and in the lymph nodes of the 

 lymphatics the fats are changed to human fats. The fats pass 

 up through the thoracic duct and enter the blood in the left 

 subclavian vein at the base of the neck. 



5. The other foods enter the blood capillaries directly and 

 are carried into the portal vein which leads to the liver. 



6. In absorption the peptones are changed to albumins, and 

 the sugars are also changed somewhat. The water and salt are 

 not changed. 



7. The liver may change the albumin not needed at the 

 time into fats or sugars and then store up the sugar for future 

 use. 



8. The liver destroys certain disease germs, removes poisons, 

 manufactures bile, serves as a storehouse for sugars, destroys 

 worn-out red corpuscles, and oxidizes certain harmful substances 

 made in the body. 



9. The fats absorbed by the indirect route and the other 

 foods by the direct route are again brought together in 

 the right side of the heart and form the nutritious part of the 

 plasma. 



10. The materials that cannot be absorbed from the alimen- 

 tary canal accumulate in the large intestine and are expelled 

 at regular intervals. 



