Final answer:
The tiny blood vessels through which nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine are called capillaries. These capillaries are located in the villi and microvilli, which increase the surface area for absorption.
Step-by-step explanation:
The tiny blood vessels through which nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine are called capillaries. These capillaries are located in the villi and microvilli, which are finger-like projections that increase the surface area for absorption.
The capillaries and lacteals in the villi absorb different types of nutrients, with the capillaries absorbing water-soluble molecules and the lacteals absorbing fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins.