Intestinal villi (singular: villus)are tiny, finger-like projections that line the interior (lumen) of the small intestine. The primary function of villi is to absorb nutrients from food and ...

Villi typically become shorter and broader as you move down the small intestine. Each villus (individual villi) also has tiny microvilli, which are even smaller projections that also aid digestion.

With a combination of the villi and microvilli in the small intestine, it is estimated there is an absorptive surface equal to that of a tennis court in adults. The villus is the functional unit ...