Fat absorptions

[jkhambruin]

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After fats are absorbed into the small intestine cells, they transfer into lacteal. Then, thoracic duct, jugular vein, vena cava (superior?), right atrium, right ventricle, pulmonary artery, lung, all the way back to left atrium, all the way to the liver via systemic circulatory?
EK bio does not explain the entire route but merely state they end up reaching liver, I was little confused. So chylomicron travel the long distance to the liver to be taken? And those chylomicron cause atherosclerosis because they go through arteries?

 

[dougkaye]

Good question. yes, the chylomicrons dump from lymphatic system into venous circulation at thoracic ductsn (subclavian vein). From there, they travel along that route to liver as described in post. They are broken down in liver, repackaged into lipoproteins. Chylomicrons do not cause artherosclerosis (AS). LDL's are the "bad lipoproteins" that are associated w/ plaques and AS. The liver pumps out VLDL's that go out to cells/tissues. Cells send back LDL's and HDL's. HDL's are considered "good" because they are a way for the body to rid of extra cholesterol by turning it into bile and by sending to glands that make steroid hormones.