How are fats absorbed in the lymphatic system?

Fats, particularly in the form of fatty acids and monoglycerides, undergo a specific absorption process that involves the lymphatic system. After fats are emulsified by bile salts in the intestine, they are broken down by pancreatic lipase. The resulting fatty acids and monoglycerides diffuse into the intestinal cells, where they are reassembled into triglycerides and packaged into chylomicrons.

Chylomicrons are large lipoprotein particles that contain fats and are too big to enter the blood capillaries directly. Instead, they enter the lymphatic system through specialized lymphatic capillaries called lacteals, which are present in the villi of the small intestine. Once in the lymphatic system, chylomicrons are transported through the lymphatic vessels and eventually drain into the bloodstream at the thoracic duct.

This lymphatic absorption process is essential for efficiently transporting dietary fats from the intestines to the rest of the body, allowing for their proper utilization and storage. Hence, the correct choice highlights the fact that fats are absorbed directly into lymph.