Abstract The sections in this article are: Intrinsic Regulation of Blood Flow and Oxygenation Basic Concepts Vascular Response to Arterial Pressure Alterations Vascular Response to Venous Pressure Elevation Reactive Hyperemia Vascular Response to Alterations in Arterial Blood Gases and Hematocrit Postprandial Intestinal Hyperemia Influence of Blood Flow on Intestinal Transport Washout of Flow‐Limited Solutes Effects of Oxygen Delivery on Absorption Countercurrent Exchange Anatomical Basis Theoretical Considerations Experimental Evidence Vascular Capacitance Vasoactive Agents and Intestinal Oxygen Uptake Relation Between Blood Flow and Oxygen Uptake Oxidative Metabolism Effective Capillary Density Intramural Blood Flow Distribution Angiotensin II and Vasopressin Effects of Experimental Conditions on the Intestinal Circulation Anesthesia and Adjuvants Respiration and Blood Gases Laparotomy and Visceral Manipulation Temerature Transcapillary Fluid and Solute Exchange Starling Hypothesis Rate of Transcapillary Fluid Movement (Lymph Flow) Capillary Filtration Coefficient Capillary Hydrostatic Pressure Interstitial Hydrostatic Pressure Osmotic Reflection Coefficient Transcapillary Oncotic Pressure Gradient Interaction of Capillary and Interstitial Forces Small‐Solute and Macromolecule Exchange Small Solutes Macromolecules Factors Influencing Permeability Pathways for Macromolecule Exchange Conclusions