Final answer:
The breakdown products of fats are absorbed into lacteals, which are specialized lymphatic vessels in the small intestine that help transport dietary lipids and lipid-soluble vitamins into the bloodstream.
Step-by-step explanation:
The breakdown products of fats are absorbed into lacteals. Lacteals are tiny lymphatic vessels located in the villi of the small intestine that specialize in the absorption of dietary lipids and lipid-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A, D, E, and K. When dietary fats are consumed, they are emulsified by bile salts and lecithin to form micelles. These micelles transport the fats to the surface of the enterocytes of the small intestine, where the fats diffuse into the cells. Inside the enterocytes, the fats are re-esterified into triglycerides and then packed together with cholesterol and proteins to form chylomicrons. Finally, chylomicrons are secreted by the enterocytes and enter the lacteals, thereby passing into the lymphatic system and eventually into the bloodstream.