Does the small intestine or large intestine contain microvilli?

• A. Small intestine
• B. Large intestine
• C. Esophagus
• D. Stomach

Answer: (A)

Microvilli are tiny projections on the apical surface of absorptive epithelial cells, forming a dense brush border that massively increases surface area for nutrient absorption. In the small intestine, the lining is organized into fingerlike villi, and the cells on these surfaces have abundant microvilli, giving a prominent brush border and housing many digestive enzymes on their membranes. This setup is essential for efficient digestion and absorption of nutrients.

The large intestine, by contrast, lacks villi and has a mucosa with many goblet cells and crypts, making its surface optimized for mucus secretion and water absorption rather than maximizing absorptive area. While some microvilli can be present on absorptive cells, they are not as developed as in the small intestine, so the characteristic feature of a dense brush border points to the small intestine.