Chyle (Noun)
Meaning
A milky fluid consisting of lymph and emulsified fats; formed in the small intestine during digestion of ingested fats.
Classification
Nouns denoting body parts.
Examples
- Chyle passes through the lymphatic vessels of the small intestine and into the larger lymphatic trunks that emerge from the intestine.
- During the digestion of a fatty meal, a significant amount of chyle is formed in the small intestine and absorbed into the lymphatic system.
- The composition of chyle varies depending on the amount and type of fat in the diet, but it always contains a mixture of lymph and emulsified fats.
- Chyle is transported from the small intestine to the bloodstream through the thoracic duct, which empties into the left subclavian vein.
- An abnormal flow of chyle into the abdominal cavity can cause a condition known as chylous ascites, which is characterized by the accumulation of a milky fluid in the peritoneum.