Chyle
Chyle
Chyle (/kaɪl/; from the Greek word χυλός chylos, "juice") is a milky bodily fluid that consists of lymph and emulsified fats, or free fatty acids (FFAs). It is formed in the small intestine during digestion of fatty foods, and taken up by lymph vessels specifically known as lacteals.
Etymology
The term "chyle" is derived from the Greek word "chylos", which translates to "juice". It was first used in medical texts in the 16th century.
Formation and Composition
Chyle is formed in the small intestine during the digestion of dietary fats. It is composed of lymph fluid and emulsified fats, or free fatty acids. The emulsified fats give chyle its characteristic milky appearance.
The process of chyle formation begins with the emulsification of dietary fats in the small intestine by bile acids, which are secreted by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. The emulsified fats are then broken down into smaller molecules by pancreatic lipase, an enzyme secreted by the pancreas. These smaller molecules, known as free fatty acids and monoglycerides, are absorbed by the cells lining the small intestine, or enterocytes. Inside the enterocytes, they are reassembled into triglycerides and packaged with proteins into particles called chylomicrons. The chylomicrons are then released into the lacteals, the lymph vessels of the small intestine, forming chyle.
Function
The primary function of chyle is to transport dietary fats from the small intestine to the bloodstream, where they can be used for energy or stored for later use. Chyle also carries fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) and other nutrients absorbed from food in the small intestine to the rest of the body.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Chyle
- Wikipedia's article - Chyle
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