Minette Stephens, age 9, of Galveston, Texas, for her question:

HOW LONG IS YOUR INTESTINE?

The intestine is that part of the digestive network that starts at the stomach and ends where waste materials leaves the body. The intestine is in two major sections: the small intestine and the large intestine. The small intestine is about 20 feet long and the large intestine is about five feet long.

In the small intestine most of the digestion occurs and this is where most food products are absorbed. The large intestine is where water is absorbed and the waste material finally moves out of the body.

The small intestine has many coils. It is located in the center of the abdominal area and it is divided into three main sections.

The large intestine is also divided into three sections: the ascending colon, the transverse colon and the descending colon. The appendix is a small appendage located on the ascending colon near the last section of the small intestine.