Intestinal villus
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| Intestinal villus | |
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| Microvilli show electron dense plaques (open arrow) at their apices. These plaques may be the anchoring point for the microfilaments which run up through the core of the microvilli. While an extensive glycocalyx is present on the microvilli of many mammals, the microvilli observed in this study do not demonstrate any visible glycocalyx. The junctional complex (thin arrow) at the apices of the epithelial cells is supplemented by numerous spot desmosomes (arrow head) on the lateral surfaces of the cells. | |
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| Section of duodenum of cat. X 60. | |
| Latin | villi intestinales |
| Gray's | subject #248 1174 |
| Dorlands/Elsevier | v_08/12857047 |
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Overview
Intestinal villi (singular: villus) are tiny, finger-like structures that protrude from the wall of the intestine and have additional extensions called microvilli (singular: microvillus) which protrude from epithelial cells lining villi. They increase the absorptive area of the intestinal wall. It is important that the food is absorbed at a considerably fast rate so as to allow more food to be absorbed.(If the process is too slow, the concentration of the blood in the blood vessels and the food will be equal, thus, diffusion will not occur.)Digested nutrients (including sugars and amino acids) pass into the villi through diffusion. Circulating blood then carries these nutrients away. [1]
Function
In all humans, the villi and microvilli together increase intestinal absorptive surface area 30-fold and 600-fold, respectively, providing exceptionally efficient absorption of nutrients in the lumen. This increases the surface area of the intestine to around the area of a small parking lot or a tennis court.
There are also enzymes on the surface for digestion. Villus capillaries collect amino acids and simple sugars taken up by the villi into the blood stream. Villus lacteals collect absorbed fatty acids.
Homologue of alveolus
Villi serve the same purpose as the alveoli in the lungs. Both increase surface area, which helps to increase the transfer rate of nutrients into the blood through diffusion, although alveoli also transfer wastes out. Alveoli transfer carbon dioxide out and oxygen into the bloodstream, while villi transfer digested food in.
Additional images
 different stages of Coeliac Disease |
References
External links
- Histology at Boston University 11504loa - "Digestive System: Alimentary Canal: pyloro/duodenal junction, duodenum"
- Histology at Boston University 11513loa - "Digestive System: Alimentary Canal: pyloro/duodenal junction"
- Histology at Boston University 11609loa - "Digestive System: Alimentary Canal: duodenum, plicae circularis"
- Histology at University of Southern California gi/c_36
- Histology at University of Southern California gi/c_39
- Intestinal+villi at eMedicine Dictionary
Acknowledgement and Attribution Regarding Sources of Content
Some of the initial content on this page may be incorporated in part from copyleft sources in the public domain including wikis such as Wikipedia and AskDrWiki. Drug information for patients came from the The National Library of Medicine. Infectious disease information may have come from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Differential Diagnoses are drawn from clinicians as well as an amalgamation of 3 sources: 1.The Disease Database; 2. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:3; 3. Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:7 .
