What is a villus?

A villus is defined as a fingerlike projection located on the inner surface of the small intestine. These projections increase the surface area available for absorption, allowing nutrients from digested food to be efficiently absorbed into the bloodstream. Each villus contains specialized cells that support nutrient absorption and also house tiny blood vessels, which play a critical role in transporting nutrients throughout the body.

The options that describe components such as parts of the stomach, a pouch that stores bile, or types of blood vessels do not accurately represent the function or structure of a villus. Instead, they pertain to different anatomical functions that are separate from the role of villi in the intestinal mucosa. This distinction makes the first choice the only correct answer regarding what a villus is.