# Enterocytes --- **Enterocytes** are [[intestines|intestinal]] [[epithelial tissue#Simple Columnar|epithelial cells]] that are responsible for absorbing [[nutrients]] from the digested food stuff that is passing through the lumen of the intestines. They make up the outside edge of the [[villi]] of both intestines. Enterocytes get (non-water soluble) lipids into the bloodstream by making [[lipoprotein|lipoproteins]], which are bundles of triglycerides wrapped in a hydrophilic layer of phospholipids. ![[enterocyte.png]] ## Structure Enterocytes, who themselves live in the walls of the [[villi]], have even smaller **[[microvilli]]** living on *them*. The surface that these microvilli are on is called the *brush boarder*, and they increase the surface area of the intestines *even more* than the villi themselves. ![[small intestine.png]] ___