Lacteal
| Lacteal | |
|---|---|
Muscle cells cut across. | |
 Villi of small intestine, showing bloodvessels and lymphatic vessels. | |
| Anatomical terminology] |
A lacteal is a lymphatic capillary that absorbs dietary fats in the villi of the small intestine.
Triglycerides are emulsified by
chylomicrons. These chylomicrons then pass into the lacteals, forming a milky substance known as chyle. The lacteals merge to form larger lymphatic vessels that transport the chyle to the thoracic duct where it is emptied into the bloodstream at the subclavian vein.[2][3]
At this point, the fats are in the bloodstream in the form of chylomicrons. Once in the blood, chylomicrons are subject to delipidation by
atherogenic.[4]
In contrast to any other route of absorption from the small intestine, the lymphatic system avoids
first pass metabolism
.
References
- ISBN 978-0-443-06850-8.
- ISBN 978-0-471-98820-5.
- ISBN 978-0-7020-2676-8.
- S2CID 15994547.
External links
- Histology image: 11705ooa – Histology Learning System at Boston University - "117. Digestive System: Alimentary Canal jejunum, central lacteals "
