What is the central vessel in the villi responsible for the absorption of fats?

The central vessel in the villi that is responsible for the absorption of fats is the lacteal. Villi are tiny, finger-like projections found in the lining of the small intestine that greatly increase surface area for absorption. Each villus contains a network of capillaries and a lacteal, which is a specialized lymphatic vessel.

The primary function of the lacteal is to absorb dietary fats and fat-soluble vitamins from the digested food in the intestine. When fats are broken down into smaller molecules, they form micelles that can be taken up by the cells lining the intestine. Once inside these cells, the fats are reassembled into triglycerides and packaged into chylomicrons, which then enter the lacteal. The lymphatic system ultimately transports these chylomicrons into the bloodstream, allowing for the distribution of lipids throughout the body.

In contrast, arteries, veins, and capillaries primarily deal with the transport of blood and its constituents, such as oxygen and nutrients, rather than the specific absorption of fats as performed by the lacteal.