Science glossary film: Villi

Tiny outgrowths from the surface of some tissues and organs which serve to increase the surface area. The best known villi are those in the gut. Intestinal villi are half to one millimeter in length. Rather like loops on a towel's surface, they make the intestinal wall much more absorbent.

The best known villi are those in the gut. Intestinal villi are half to one millimeter in length. Rather like loops on a towel's surface, they make the intestinal wall much more absorbent.