The structure and function of small intestinal villi

Most people may not know what the structure of the small intestine is, but people with a certain amount of medical knowledge should know that the surface of the small intestine is not actually smooth but has a layer of villi. The role of the small intestinal villi in the human body is very important and indispensable. Therefore, when there is a problem with the small intestine, it will seriously affect a person's normal digestion and absorption function. The following will introduce to you the functions and effects of the small intestinal villi.

Small intestinal villi

The inner surface of the small intestine wall has a large number of circular folds, and on the folds there are many villus-like protrusions called intestinal villi.

The villi of the small intestine grow on the small intestine. The function of the villi of the small intestine is to increase the absorption area of ​​the small intestine by nearly 600 times, and also play the role of filtering substances.

Small intestinal villi: a leaf-like structure formed by the lamina propria and epithelium protruding into the intestinal cavity. The mass-like structure free in the intestinal cavity is the cross section of the villi.

Compared with the glands in the small intestine, what are the characteristics of the villi: In the center of the villi, a larger lumen can be seen, and the central lacteal duct composed of a single layer of endothelium, that is, the capillary lymphatic vessel. There are scattered smooth muscle bundles around the tube. The wall of the villi of the small intestine is composed of only one layer of epithelial cells, so it is only one cell thick. The villi of the small intestine are filled with a network of microvessels. This structural feature is beneficial for the small intestine to absorb nutrients.

The small intestine is the main site for digestion and absorption, and is also the most important absorption organ. The epithelial cells of the small intestinal villi absorb amino acids, glucose, inorganic salts, etc. in the digestive tract into the blood. If this part is damaged, the absorption of the above nutrients will be affected, and nutrients such as soluble sugars can be detected in the feces.