laktéál

Laktéál is the term used for the lymphatic capillaries located in the core of the villi of the small intestine. These vessels are specialized for the absorption and transport of dietary lipids. After fatty acids are absorbed by enterocytes and reassembled into triglycerides, they are packaged into chylomicrons that enter the lacteals and are carried as lymph, often referred to as chyle.

Anatomy and function: Each villus contains a central lacteal that originates as a blind-ended lymphatic capillary and drains into larger mesenteric lymphatic vessels. The lymphatic system of the small intestine ultimately channels lipid-rich lymph to the cisterna chyli and the thoracic duct, which empties into the venous system at the left subclavian vein. Lacteals play a key role in fat absorption and also participate in immune surveillance by allowing the movement of immune cells and antigens from the gut mucosa to draining lymph nodes.

Clinical relevance: Dilatation or obstruction of intestinal lacteals can lead to impaired fat absorption and protein-losing enteropathy, as seen in conditions such as intestinal lymphangiectasia. Diseases or surgical procedures that disrupt lymphatic drainage can result in edema, hypoproteinemia, and steatorrhea. Lacteals may also be affected by inflammatory or neoplastic processes that compromise intestinal lymphatic flow.

In humans and many other vertebrates, the proper function of lacteals is integral to nutritional lipids uptake and to the broader orchestration of gut-associated immune activities.