Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine01:29

Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine

1.4K
The gut microbiome is formed by a vast and diverse community of bacteria that colonizes our large intestine. These bacteria start residing in the gut from birth and continue diversifying throughout life, influenced by factors such as diet, lifestyle, and stress. The gut bacterial community also includes bacteria from food and those that enter the colon through the anus.
The normal gut flora of the colon plays a critical role in generating essential vitamins such as vitamins K, B5, and B7.
1.4K
Anatomy of the Intestines01:23

Anatomy of the Intestines

86.2K
Although digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids may begin in the stomach, it is completed in the intestine. The absorption of nutrients, water, and electrolytes from food and drink also occurs in the intestine. The intestines can be divided into two structurally distinct organs—the small and large intestines.
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the...
86.2K
Histology of the Small Intestine01:27

Histology of the Small Intestine

3.1K
The small intestine exhibits a unique histological structure that significantly enhances its function in digestion and nutrient absorption. These structures include circular folds, villi, and various specialized cells that collectively facilitate the digestion of food.
The intestinal lining features transverse folds called circular folds, each housing fingerlike projections known as intestinal villi. These villi are covered by a layer of simple columnar epithelium, also referred to as...
3.1K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Gut microbiome features associated with Bifidobacterium colonization predict personalized probiotic persistence patterns.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Exploring the concept of bacterial memory.

Nature microbiology·2025
Same author

Toward a health-associated core keystone index for the human gut microbiome.

Cell reports·2025
Same author

Temporal stability and lack of variance in microbiome composition and functionality in fit recreational athletes.

Scientific reports·2025
Same author

Host-microbe multi-omics and succinotype profiling have prognostic value for future relapse in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Gut microbes·2025
Same author

International consensus statement on microbiome testing in clinical practice.

The lancet. Gastroenterology & hepatology·2024

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 18, 2025

Murine Fecal Isolation and Microbiota Transplantation
07:32

Murine Fecal Isolation and Microbiota Transplantation

Published on: May 26, 2023

5.2K

The small bowel microbiota.

Carthage Moran1, Donal Sheehan, Fergus Shanahan

  • 1Department of Medicine, Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, National University of Ireland, Cork, Ireland *Drs Carthage Moran and Donal Sheehan contributed equally to the writing of this article.

Current Opinion in Gastroenterology
|January 21, 2015
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Recent findings highlight the small bowel microbiota's crucial role in health and disease. This review covers complex host-microbe interactions, metabolic exchanges, and the microbiota's involvement in conditions like celiac disease.

More Related Videos

An Intestinal Gut Organ Culture System for Analyzing Host-Microbiota Interactions
05:27

An Intestinal Gut Organ Culture System for Analyzing Host-Microbiota Interactions

Published on: June 30, 2021

4.9K
Applying Advanced In Vitro Culturing Technology to Study the Human Gut Microbiota
06:23

Applying Advanced In Vitro Culturing Technology to Study the Human Gut Microbiota

Published on: February 15, 2019

14.7K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Dec 18, 2025

Murine Fecal Isolation and Microbiota Transplantation
07:32

Murine Fecal Isolation and Microbiota Transplantation

Published on: May 26, 2023

5.2K
An Intestinal Gut Organ Culture System for Analyzing Host-Microbiota Interactions
05:27

An Intestinal Gut Organ Culture System for Analyzing Host-Microbiota Interactions

Published on: June 30, 2021

4.9K
Applying Advanced In Vitro Culturing Technology to Study the Human Gut Microbiota
06:23

Applying Advanced In Vitro Culturing Technology to Study the Human Gut Microbiota

Published on: February 15, 2019

14.7K

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Most microbiota research focuses on the colon or feces.
  • The small bowel microbiota plays a vital role in health and disease, yet is less studied.
  • Recent advancements provide insights into its function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review landmark findings on the small bowel microbiota.
  • To highlight its role in health and various diseases.
  • To discuss recent discoveries in host-microbe interactions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent landmark studies.
  • Analysis of findings related to small bowel microbiota.
  • Synthesis of evidence on host-microbe interactions and disease.

Main Results:

  • Complex host-microbe signaling networks (e.g., microbe-macrophage-neuronal) are confirmed.
  • Diet-microbe-host metabolic exchanges are increasingly understood.
  • The microbiota's contribution to celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease is evident.
  • Drug-bug interactions are clarified.

Conclusions:

  • Accessing the small bowel microbiota is challenging.
  • Growing evidence supports its role in development and homeostasis.
  • The microbiota is implicated in a diversity of diseases.