Need some info on human intestines?

Question

I asked this a few days ago but couldn't get enough info on it. I know this is kind of a sick question but theres no help for it.

I'm writing a psychological horror and I need to know if the intestines in a human body can be strong enough to make a makeshift rope with? And in my book I haven't enough time to dry them out as others have suggested.

Only serious answers please!

Answer 1

I would have to say probably not. If you go to a Chinese dim sum restaurant, they sell what's called "tripe," which is basically cow intestine (it's quite delicious, despite how disgusting it might sound!). It's hard to chew, which might indicate that it is tough and strong, but my guess is that if you were to put something like a human-sized weight at the end of a long stretch of intestine hanging off of a ceiling or something, the intestine would strain and eventually break. It'll take a while, so your character will need to use that intestine fast!

Answer 2

Wow a freaky question! Sorry can't answer your question directly, but if you haven't already, try asking in the Medicine section, and hope that some surgeon familiar with the generalities of intestines will answer your question. I think it's your best bet, certainly better than asking Biology. I did a quick search on "intestine breaking strength" and there's actually a lot of material on it; unfortunately most of it are on research animals.

On a side note, I'd assume that drying out the intestines would actually weaken its strength.

Best of luck!

Answer 3

Well, they aren't just a long tube, the small intestine is suspended from a centrally-radiating membrane containing blood vessels and nerves called the mesentery. I wouldn't say they were strong enough for a rope, even if you unraveled them and stripped them. Dry in a microwave, maybe?

Answer 4

To readers that would seem a bit unrealistic.

Answer 5

Do you have the guts to do it?