Why does absorption of digested food occur mainly in the small intestine ?

Explanation

Absorption of digested food occurs mainly in the small intestine because it has finger like projections called villi which help in absorption of food into blood. Villus contains a lymph capillary called lacteal in the centre. Lacteal in turn is surrounded by a network of thin and small blood vessels called blood capillaries close to its surface. As the food moves slowly between, over and around the villi the surface of villi absorbs the digested food materials into blood flowing through them . Blood, in turn carries the absorbed food materials to all the parts of the body . In the cells food is used for energy , repair and growth. The process is known as assimilation .