APPLIED RADIOLOGICAL ANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -There are blood capillaries and special lymph capillaries, called lacteals, in the center of each villus . The blood capillaries absorb most nutrients, but the fats and fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed by the lacteals. The lymph in the lacteals has a milky appearance due to its high fat content and is called chyle.

Detailed explanation-2: -A lacteal is a lymphatic capillary that absorbs dietary fats in the villi of the small intestine.

Detailed explanation-3: -In the intestine, lymphatic capillaries (lacteals) are necessary to absorb dietary fats in the villi of the small intestine. Lacteals are important for lipid transport from the small intestinal epithelium to the lymphatic vasculature and blood circulation (Dixon, 2010).

Detailed explanation-4: -The function of the lacteal in the small intestine: During the process of digestion, the lacteals absorb large molecules of fats and lipids from the small intestine which gives them a milky-white appearance. They act as a passage to transport the contents in the form of lipoproteins into the lymphatic system.