Villi is microscopic finger-like projections that line the inner wall of the small intestine.
After food passes from the stomach into the small intestine, nutrients in the food are absorbed into the body through the villi. Every person has millions of villi in his intestines.
In patients with untreated celiac disease, inflammation in the small intestine makes the villi shrink and flatten due to long term intake of gluten which destroys the villi.This causes mall-absorption and build up of poison in the body. a good description may be the following
"Celiac disease is an autoimmune digestive disease that damages the villi of the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. What does this mean? Essentially the body is attacking itself every time a person with celiac consumes gluten."
Celiac disease has no cure and is a lifelong commitment and obligation to eat gluten free for optimal health.
For more information on Celiac disease!!!
http://www.celiaccentral.org/Celiac-Disease/21/