Digesting Fat: Fate of Ingested Fat

As chylomicrons reach the capillaries of muscle and fat tissues, they activate lipoprotein lipase, which, like pancreatic lipase, breaks down triglycerides for absorption.

Fat absorbed by fat tissue is stored. Fat absorbed by muscle is burned for energy.

As triglycerides are removed, chylomicrons shrink in size and become chylomicron remnants, which are then absorbed by the liver. The liver is a key organ in lipid metabolism.

A chylomicron with two arrows, one pointing to fat tissue and the other pointing to muscle. A chylomicron remnant then passes from each tissue to the liver.
Chylomicrons reach fat tissue and muscle. As triglycerides are removed, chylomicrons shrink and become remnants absorbed by the liver.