lacteales
Lacteales are the lymphatic capillaries within the villi of the small intestine. In anatomical literature, the plural form lacteales is used to refer to all such vessels. They are part of the mucosal lymphatic network and are specialized to absorb dietary lipids.
Structure and location: Lacteals reside in the lamina propria of the intestinal villi, with each villus containing
Physiology and function: After fats are emulsified and absorbed by enterocytes, long-chain fatty acids are re-esterified
Drainage and circulation: Lacteales drain into the intestinal lymphatic trunks, pass to the cisterna chyli, and
Clinical significance: Disorders affecting intestinal lymphatics, including intestinal lymphangiectasia, can lead to fat malabsorption and protein-losing