The term "chyle vessel" refers to a vessel that carries chyle, or the milky-white fluid that's formed in the small intestine during digestion. The correct spelling of this word is /tʃaɪl vɛsəl/, with the "ch" sound being represented by the phonetic symbol /tʃ/, and the "y" sound by the symbol /aɪ/. The word is spelled this way because it is derived from the Greek word "chylós", meaning "juice", and the Latin word "vas", meaning "vessel".
A chyle vessel is a thin, tubular structure found in the lymphatic system of vertebrates, responsible for the transport of chyle. The lymphatic system is a specialized network of vessels, nodes, and organs that work together to maintain fluid balance, remove waste materials, and help defend the body against infections.
Chyle, on the other hand, is a milky-white fluid that is formed in the small intestine during the digestion and absorption of fats. It is composed of dietary fats, proteins, lymphocytes, vitamins, and other substances. After being absorbed by the specialized lymphatic capillaries called lacteals in the small intestine, chyle enters into the chyle vessels.
Chyle vessels are larger lymphatic vessels that receive the chyle from the lacteals of the small intestine. They are present mainly in the abdominal region and are responsible for transporting the chyle to the thoracic region. The chyle vessels converge near the liver, forming a larger vessel known as the cisterna chyli, which acts as a storage area for chyle.
From the cisterna chyli, the chyle vessels continue their journey upwards, eventually emptying into the thoracic duct, which is the largest lymphatic vessel in the body. The thoracic duct then releases the chyle into the bloodstream, allowing the fats and other nutrients to be distributed throughout the body.
In summary, chyle vessels are specialized lymphatic vessels that transport chyle, a fatty fluid, from the small intestine to the bloodstream, enabling the absorption and distribution of dietary fats and other nutrients.
One of the afferent lymphatics from the intestinal wall to a mesenteric node.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "chyle" ultimately derives from the Ancient Greek word "khumos", meaning "juice" or "moisture". In medical terminology, "chyle" refers to the milky fluid that is formed during the digestion of fatty foods and is carried by the lymphatic system.
The word "vessel" comes from the Old English word "fætels", which means "a container" or "a ship". The term "vessel" in biology specifically refers to a system of tubes or ducts that transport fluids or substances within an organism.
So, the term "chyle vessel" simply combines these two terms to describe the vessel or duct that carries chyle within the lymphatic system.