Il villo, unità morfofunzionale dell'intestino tenue: anatomia e correlazioni fisiopatologiche

The intestinal epithelium is a wide interface between the body and the external environment. The villus, the morphofunctional unit of small bowel, has a nutrients, water and ion transport function and an equally relevant barrier function. The derangement of one or more of these functions constitues the basis for intestinal and extraintestinal diseases. The article focuses on the link between villus anathomy and physiology and some small bowel genetic, infectious and inflammatory diseases. Knowledge of villus and enterocyte pathophysiology has an impact on associated therapies and research strategies.