The small intestine actually isn’t very small. On average, it measures 20 feet long, but it is only 1 inch wide. The pancreas and liver secrete digestive enzymes into the small intestine. This finishes the digestive process. The small intestine is lined with tiny, finger-like projections called villi, which absorb nutrients from digested food. Villi increase the surface area of the intestinal lining, helping nutrients move quickly into the bloodstream. Anything in food that cannot be used or stored by the body moves down to the large intestine. Which of these best explains why the small intestine is called the small intestine?