What does villi mean?
Villi are small, finger-like projections on the lining of the small intestine that play a crucial role in the digestion and absorption of nutrients from food. They increase the surface area of the intestine, allowing for more efficient absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream. The villi are richly supplied with blood vessels and are a key feature of the small intestine's structure. Understanding villi is essential for understanding how the body processes and utilizes nutrients from food. The term is primarily used in biological and medical contexts.
nounSmall, finger-like projections on the lining of the small intestine that increase the surface area for absorption of nutrients.
- Small, finger-like projections on the lining of the small intestine
- Similar projections in other parts of the body
"The villi in the small intestine play a crucial role in the digestion and absorption of nutrients from food."
"The villi in the small intestine increase the surface area for nutrient absorption."
"The intestinal villi are richly supplied with blood vessels to facilitate absorption."
The plural form 'villi' is used to refer to multiple projections.
"The small intestine contains many villi that increase the surface area for nutrient absorption."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of villi
The term 'villi' originates from the Latin word 'villus', meaning 'shaggy hair' or 'tuft'. This refers to the finger-like projections on the lining of the small intestine. The word has been used in biological contexts since the 17th century to describe these projections.
How villi is actually used
Typically used in biological and medical contexts to describe the structure of the small intestine.