Venule
Venule (pronounced: /ˈvɛnjuːl/) is a small blood vessel in the microcirculation that allows blood to return from the capillary beds to the larger blood vessels called veins. Venules are the smallest veins in the body and are a key component of the circulatory system.
Etymology
The term "venule" is derived from the Latin word "venula", a diminutive of "vena" which means vein.
Structure
Venules are formed when capillaries (Capillary) converge. They are slightly larger in diameter than capillaries and have thinner walls. They are responsible for draining the blood from the capillaries and transporting it to the larger veins.
Function
The primary function of venules is to collect blood from the capillary beds and transport it to the larger veins, which eventually return the blood to the heart (Heart). They also play a role in the immune response, as they allow white blood cells to move from the bloodstream into the surrounding tissues.
Related Terms
- Vein: A blood vessel that carries blood towards the heart.
- Capillary: The smallest of the body's blood vessels.
- Arteriole: A small-diameter blood vessel that extends and branches out from an artery and leads to capillaries.
- Microcirculation: The circulation of blood in the smallest blood vessels.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Venule
- Wikipedia's article - Venule
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