Intestinal villi. Light micrograph of a longitudinal section through the tips of intestinal villi. Villi are the finger-like projections that increase the surface area of the small intestine. Each villus is covered by columnar epithelium. The cells of the epithelium are of two main types (not clearly discernible). Enterocytes are involved in digestion and goblet cells produce mucus. The mucus lubricates food in the intestine and prevents self digestion. In the core of the villus is the lamina propria. This is where digestive products are absorbed into the blood. Magnification x200 at 35mm size.