Editing Enterocyte (section)

{{Short description|Type of intestinal cell}}
{{Infobox cell
| Name        = Enterocyte
| Latin       = enterocytus
| Image       = File:Cell enterocyte.png
| Caption     = Schematic drawing of an enterocyte: the [[intestinal lumen]] is above the brush border.
| Image2      =
| Caption2    =
| Precursor   =
| System      =
| Location = [[Small intestine]]
| Shape = [[Simple columnar]]
| Function = [[Epithelial cells]]
}}
'''Enterocytes''', or '''intestinal absorptive cells''', are [[simple columnar]] [[epithelial cells]] which line the inner surface of the [[Small intestine|small]] and [[Large intestine|large intestines]]. A [[glycocalyx]] surface coat contains [[digestive enzyme]]s. [[Microvilli]] on the apical surface increase its surface area. This facilitates transport of numerous small molecules into the enterocyte from the intestinal [[Lumen (anatomy)|lumen]]. These include broken down [[protein]]s, [[fat]]s, and [[sugar]]s, as well as water, [[electrolyte]]s, [[vitamin]]s, and [[bile salt]]s. Enterocytes also have an [[endocrine]] role, secreting hormones such as [[leptin]].