The Ileum is adapted to the function of absorbing the products of digestion
-Walls are folded to form villi..
Villi are situated between the Lumen (cavity) of the intestines and the blood
The villi increase the surface area in a number of ways..
-Increase surface area for diffusion
-Very thin walled, reducing diffusion distance
-Contain muscle and so are able to move, this helps to maintain diffusion gradients
-The epithelial cells lining the villi possess microvilli, finger link projections that further increase the surface area for absorption
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