Microcirculation
Microcirculation (pronounced: mi·cro·cir·cu·la·tion, /ˌmaɪkroʊˌsɜːr.kjʊˈleɪ.ʃən/) is a term in Anatomy and Physiology that refers to the smallest blood vessels in the body, including capillaries, arterioles, and venules. The etymology of the term comes from the Greek words "micros" meaning small, and "circulatio" meaning a going around.
Function
The primary function of the microcirculation is the exchange of oxygen and nutrients between the blood and the tissues. It also plays a crucial role in the regulation of blood pressure and body temperature.
Components
The microcirculation consists of three main components: arterioles, capillaries, and venules. Arterioles are the smallest arteries that lead to the capillaries, capillaries are the smallest blood vessels where the exchange of oxygen and nutrients occurs, and venules are the smallest veins that collect blood from the capillaries and transport it back to the larger veins.
Related Terms
- Arteriole
- Capillary
- Venule
- Blood Vessel
- Oxygen
- Nutrient
- Blood
- Tissue
- Blood Pressure
- Body Temperature
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Microcirculation
- Wikipedia's article - Microcirculation
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