Which statement about lacteals and fat absorption is correct?

• A. Lacteals are not located in the villi.
• B. Lacteals drain into the hepatic portal system.
• C. Fat is absorbed by lacteals in the villi.
• D. Lymphatic vessels transport oxygen to tissues.

Answer: (C)

Fat absorption relies on lacteals, the specialized lymphatic capillaries inside the intestinal villi. When fats are digested, they’re reassembled into triglycerides and packaged as chylomicrons, which are too large to enter blood capillaries. These chylomicrons are taken up by the lacteals and carried away in lymph; the lymphatic system drains into the thoracic duct and then into the venous circulation, bypassing the hepatic portal system. So fat absorption by lacteals in the villi is correct. Lacteals are indeed located in the villi, they do not drain into the hepatic portal system, and lymphatic vessels transport lymph rather than oxygen.