Why Are Lacteals Important?

Lacteal is a lymphatic capillary that absorbs dietary fats in the villi of the small intestines. ... Lacteals form a component of the lymphatic system, which is designed to absorb and transport material that is too large to enter the blood stream directly.

What is the purpose of lacteals?

A lacteal is a lymphatic capillary that absorbs dietary fats in the villi of the small intestine. Triglycerides are emulsified by bile and hydrolyzed by the enzyme lipase, resulting in a mixture of fatty acids, di- and monoglycerides.

Are lacteals important in absorption?

Villi that line the walls of the small intestine absorb nutrients into capillaries of the circulatory system and lacteals of the lymphatic system. Villi contain capillary beds, as well as lymphatic vessels called lacteals. Fatty acids absorbed from broken-down chyme pass into the lacteals.