Microvilli

Microvilli are microscopic cell extensions on the apical side of epithelial cells. The surface enlargement caused by the microvilli allows the cells to maximize the amount of enzymes lined up to process nutrients. In addition, the surface of the microvilli is covered with the glycocalix. These tree-like glycoprotein structures increase the active surface even more by anchoring digestive enzymes and binding substances for uptake.

Microvilli should not be confused with villi, which are several magnitudes larger.

Figure 1: Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) image of microvilli