Pancreatic lipase primarily acts in which part of the digestive tract to digest triglycerides?

• A. Stomach
• B. Jejunum
• C. Duodenum
• D. Ileum

Answer: (C)

Pancreatic lipase digests triglycerides where chyme first encounters pancreatic secretions in the small intestine. The duodenum provides the neutral pH and immediate exposure to both pancreatic lipase (with colipase) and bile salts, which emulsify fats and enable lipase to hydrolyze triglycerides into monoglycerides and free fatty acids. These products are then carried in micelles formed with bile salts for absorption by enterocytes. While digestion continues a bit downstream, the initial and primary site of action for pancreatic lipase is the duodenum.