Intestinal villi are finger-like projections, about 0.5-1 mm tall, that cover the lining of the small intestine. Each contains capillaries and a lymph vessel called a lacteal, and their surface cells carry microvilli, giving a huge absorptive area.
| Location | Mucosa of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum; tallest in the jejunum |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Submucosal and myenteric plexuses |
| Blood Supply | Branches of the superior mesenteric artery (and pancreaticoduodenal arteries for the duodenum) |
| Venous drainage |
|
| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Absorb digested nutrients: sugars and amino acids enter the blood, while fats enter the lacteals as chylomicrons.
In coeliac disease, gluten triggers immune damage that flattens the villi, causing malabsorption, anaemia and low bone density. Biopsy of the duodenum showing villous atrophy confirms the diagnosis. Some infections and drugs also blunt the villi.
Gluten-driven immune flattening of the villi causing malabsorption.
Villous damage and malabsorption seen in people living in or visiting tropical regions.
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