Chorionic villus sampling (CVS ... During the test, a small sample of cells (called chorionic villi) is taken from the placenta where it attaches to the wall of the uterus. Chorionic villi ...

Villi typically become shorter and broader as you move down the small intestine. Each villus (individual villi) also has tiny microvilli, which are even smaller projections that also aid digestion.

The cells within the villi are represented by multicolored imperfect circles (2). Click on the right arrow to see a cross section through a single villus. Biology in the background The small intestine ...

With a combination of the villi and microvilli in the small intestine, it is estimated there is an absorptive surface equal to that of a tennis court in adults. The villus is the functional unit ...