Editing Fatty acid (section)

===Digestion and intake===
{{Main|Digestion#Fat digestion}}
[[Short-chain fatty acid|Short-]] and [[medium-chain fatty acids]] are absorbed directly into the blood via intestine capillaries and travel through the [[portal vein]] just as other absorbed nutrients do. However, [[long-chain fatty acids]] are not directly released into the intestinal capillaries. Instead they are absorbed into the fatty walls of the intestine [[Intestinal villus|villi]] and reassemble again into [[triglyceride]]s. The triglycerides are coated with [[cholesterol]] and protein (protein coat) into a compound called a [[chylomicron]].

From within the cell, the chylomicron is released into a [[lymphatic]] capillary called a [[lacteal]], which merges into larger lymphatic vessels. It is transported via the lymphatic system and the [[thoracic duct]] up to a location near the heart (where the arteries and veins are larger). The thoracic duct empties the chylomicrons into the bloodstream via the left [[subclavian vein]]. At this point the chylomicrons can transport the triglycerides to tissues where they are stored or metabolized for energy.