INTESTINAL VILLI
\ɪntˈɛstɪnə͡l vˈɪla͡ɪ], \ɪntˈɛstɪnəl vˈɪlaɪ], \ɪ_n_t_ˈɛ_s_t_ɪ_n_əl v_ˈɪ_l_aɪ]\
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Minute fingerlike or tonguelike processes projecting from the free surface of the mucous membrane of the small intestine. They consist of a central part, or core, formed by a projection of the mucous membrane and a few longitudinally arranged muscular fiber cells from the muscularis mucosae. The core of the v. contains a closely set network of blood vessels and one or more lacteal trunks with a cecal termination near the free end of the v.
By Smith Ely Jelliffe
