What are the two movements of the small intestine?

• A. Segmentation and peristalsis
• B. Mixing and propulsive movement
• C. Absorptive and secretory movement
• D. Mechanical and chemical digestion

Answer: (B)

The small intestine moves in two main ways: mixing and propulsion. Mixing is segmentation—rhythmic contractions of the circular muscle that chop and blend chyme with digestive enzymes, increasing contact with the absorptive lining. Propulsion is peristalsis—wave-like contractions that move the contents forward along the tract. These two motility patterns together support both digestion and absorption. The other descriptions refer to functions (absorption/secretory) or types of digestion (mechanical/chemical) rather than actual movements, so they don’t describe how the small intestine moves contents.