AKN / Humans / Organs / Small Intestine /
Learn about Microvilli
What are microvilli?
Microvilli are projections on an epitheial cell. (1)
Microvilli are non-motile (they don’t move) finger-like structures on the surface of epithelial cells. (2)
What do microvilli do?
Microvilli function to increase the epithelial cell’s surface area so that it can better absorb substances. (2)
absorb nutrients from food (2)
protect the human body from intestinal bacteria (2)
Where are microvilli found?
Microvilli are found on the apical surface of each intestinal cell (enterocyte). (1)
How many epithelial cells are in the small intestine?
Thounsands of microvilli line the small intestine. (2)
Resources
1. https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/the-small-intestine
2. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22062-epithelium
