Final answer:
Up to 50% of the small intestine can be resected without causing severe nutritional consequences because of the organ's ability to adapt, a process called intestinal adaptation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Generally, up to 50% of the small intestine can be resected without serious nutritional consequences. The small intestine has a remarkable ability to adapt after such a surgery, a process known as intestinal adaptation. However, the extent to which adaptation can occur and maintain normal nutrient absorption often depends on the portion of the small intestine that remains, as well as the health of the remaining sections.
Celiac disease demonstrates the critical role of the small intestine in nutrition. When the villi of the small intestine are damaged, it impedes the body's ability to absorb essential nutrients, which can be potentially life-threatening due to malnutrition. Furthermore, since the small intestine absorbs about 90 percent of the water we ingest, damage to this organ can disrupt fluid and electrolyte balance.