What is the role of lacteals?
Lacteals are the lymphatic capillaries which absorb fats and fat-soluble vitamins in the villi of the small intestine. Owing to its larger diameter than blood capillaries, fat molecules are absorbed by lacteals from the intestine. Fat molecules are first incorporated into small droplets called micelles which then move into intestinal mucosa where they are re-formed into small protein coated globules, Chylomicrons. Chylomicrons then mixed with the lymph forms Chyle which is transported by lacteals to the larger lymphatic vessel which ultimately drains it to the bloodstream.