What is the Difference Between Chyle and Chyme

The main difference between chyle and chyme is that chyle is a milky fluid that drains into the lymphatic system, whereas chyme is an acidic fluid made up of gastric juice and partially digested food. 

Chyle and chyme are two fluids produced by the digestive system.  

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Chyle
– Definition, Facts, Importance
2. What is Chyme
– Definition, Facts, Importance
3. Similarities Between Chyle and Chyme
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Chyle and Chyme
– Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms  

Chyle, Chyme

What is Chyle

Chyle is a milky fluid produced by the small intestine. It consists of lymph, emulsified fat, and free fatty acids. Therefore, it is formed during the digestion of fatty acids. Lymph vessels called lacteals take up chyle in the small intestine. The lipids of the chyle are suspended colloidally in chylomicrons. Also, since chyle contains fat, it is a type of lymph. In that way, the two components of the chyle are lymph and chylomicrons. Chylomicrons are small fat globules made up of proteins. It contains long-chain triglycerides, cholesterol esters, and phospholipids. They transport fat in blood and lymph. The thin protein coat of chylomicrons gives a milky appearance to the chyle. 

Figure 1: Chylomicrons

Furthermore, lacteals, a form of lymphatic vessels, absorb chyle from the small intestine. It reaches the thoracic duct by traveling through wider lymph vessels. Then, it enters the bloodstream into the left brachiocephalic vein through an opening from the duct. The function of the chyle is to transport T lymphocytes and immunoglobulins throughout the body. 

What is Chyme

Chyme is a creamy paste containing partially digested food and gastric juice. Generally, gastric juice mainly contains hydrochloric acid and sodium chloride. Therefore, it is strongly acidic with a pH between 1 to 3. This acidic pH causes the denaturation of proteins in the food. Further, the enzymes in the gastric juice are mainly responsible for the digestion of proteins. Pepsinogen is the main enzyme in the gastric juice, digesting proteins. Gastric juice also contains gastric lipase, hydrolyzing lipids. Furthermore, renin is a gastric enzyme present in infants.

Figure 2: Digestive System

Moreover, churning, which occurs through the peristalsis, is the process of mechanical digestion inside the stomach. Waves of muscular contractions, which occur along the stomach wall, result in the mechanical breakdown of food particles while mixing gastric juice well with food. 

Similarities Between Chyle and Chyme

• Chyle and chyme are two fluids made by the digestive system.
• They are formed during the digestion of food.

Difference Between Chyle and Chyme

Definition

Chyle refers to a milky fluid containing fat droplets that drain from the lacteals of the small intestine into the lymphatic system during digestion. In contrast, chyme refers to the pulpy acidic fluid that passes from the stomach to the small intestine, consisting of gastric juices and partly digested food.

Properties

Chyle is a milky fluid containing fat, while chyme is an acidic fluid containing gastric enzymes. 

Produced by

Chyle is produced in the small intestine, while chyme is produced in the stomach.

Containment

Chyle contains lymph, emulsified fat, or free fatty acids, while chyme contains gastric juice and partially digested food.

Fate

Lacteals absorb chyle while chyme passes from the stomach to the small intestine. 

Conclusion

In brief, chyle and chyme are two fluids the digestive system produces. Chyle is a milky fluid produced by the small intestine. It contains lymph, emulsified fat, or free fatty acids. Also, it is absorbed by lacteals. In comparison, chyme is an acidic fluid produced in the stomach. It contains gastric juice and partially digested food. Therefore, it passes through the small intestine. Therefore, the main difference between chyle and chyme is their properties. 

References:

1. (2023, August 11). Chyle – Function, Composition, Symptoms and FAQs. VEDANTU. 
2. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.-d). chyme. Encyclopædia Britannica. 

Image Courtesy:

1. “2512 Chylomicrons Contain Triglycerides Cholesterol Molecules and Other Lipids” By OpenStax College – Own Work (CC-BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Ioan-Mihai Gale I” By Mysid – Own work (CC-BY SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia