How can our intestines be so long and still fit in our body?

Question

I've read about how long our intestines are...I forgot exactly how long, but it's pretty crazy.

Anyways, how can they fit in our bodies if they're so long?

~~Ali. :)

Answer 1

there all folded up and twisted or something.  

Answer 2

The old myth that they could wrap around the earth is false but they are rather large.

The analogy used by another user of describing a slinky is pretty good.  Do you have any idea how long a wire is to make a slinky?  Pretty darn long.  It's all coiled up and wrapped around and around to make a nice little package.

I have had the not so pleasant experience of seeing someones intestines spill out of them while serving in Afghanistan.  They are quite large and they do seem to keep going and going.

The guy who has actually operated seems to know his stuff to.  And yes, the human body is a strange and interesting thing to see from the inside.

Answer 3

Well, think of them as kind of like a Slinky--when it's compressed, it fits into a pretty small package but when you stretch one out it's pretty darn long.

Answer 4

I have assisted in alot of autopsies and every part of your inside is very compacted in there. The intestines wind back and forth from left to right on top of each other and thats how they fit in your body. If you ever have a chance to observe an autopsy please do it you will be amazed at how much you will learn about the human body.