ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z                    HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site villus Structure of an intestinal villus One of many short fingerlike projections (plural villi) that project from some membranous surfaces. Numerous intestinal villi line the small intestine. Each contains a network of blood capillaries and a lacteal. Their function is to absorb the products of digestion and they greatly increase the surface area over which this can take place. Chorionic villi are folds of the chorion (the outer membrane surrounding a fetus) from which the fetal part of the placenta is formed. They provide an extensive area of for the exchange of carbon dioxide, oxygen, nutrients, and waste products between maternal and fetal blood. See also chorionic villus sampling. Related categories    • ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY    • DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP