Intestinal microvilli. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of microvilli from the small intestine. These tiny structures form a dense brush-like covering on the absorptive surfaces of the cells lining the small intestine. These cells absorb nutrients from digested food through these microvilli. There are billions of microvilli in a small intestine. Magnification: x15, 000 when printed at 10 centimetres wide.