The villi of the small intestine project into the intestinal cavity, greatly increasing the surface area for food absorption and adding digestive secretions. ... The surface of these folds contains tiny projections called villi and microvilli, which further increase the total area for absorption.

What is villi and its function?

Definition. The tiny projections on the inner surface of the small intestine which help in absorbing the digested food are called villi. These helps to increase the surface area of intestinal walls.

What does villi in the small intestine do?

Villi: The folds form numerous tiny projections which stick out into the open space inside your small intestine (or lumen), and are covered with cells that help absorb nutrients from the food that passes through.