| Comments |
"The axial dimension (“length”) of the gut reported in
the literature varies considerably. Data obtained during
laparotomy display a much more elongated organ
than the data obtained not involving direct manipulation
of the intestine. As can be seen in Table II,
radiological- and intubation-based assessments show
the length of the small intestine to be around 300 cm,
thus being roughly one-half of what has been
recorded during abdominal surgery. The length of
the large intestine is reported to vary between~110 and ~190 cm. Data obtained at autopsy show
longer intestines (data not included). The crosssectional
dimension of the gut is as difficult to assess
as the length during living conditions, but recent
radiological developments have produced data,
where mechanical handling of the intestine is
minimized." See notes beneath table |