microcirculation
Sign in to saveThe microcirculation is the circulation of the blood in the smallest blood vessels, the microvessels of the microvasculature present within organ tissues. The microvessels include terminal arterioles, metarterioles, capillaries, and venules. Arterioles carry oxygenated blood to the capillaries, and blood flows out of the capillaries through venules into veins.
Key facts
- Anatomy.Name
- Microcirculation
- Anatomy.Image
- Capillary microcirculation.svg
- Anatomy.Caption
- Microcirculation in the capillary
- Anatomy.System
- Circulatory system
- Anatomy.Artery
- Arteriole
- Anatomy.Vein
- Venule
via Wikipedia infobox
Article
15 sectionsContents
- Structure
- Microvessels
- Microanatomy
- Function
- Regulation
- Microvascular dysfunction
- Capillary exchange
- Regulation of capillary exchange
- Microcirculation and aging
- Diffusion
- Bulk flow
- Transcytosis
- Assessment of the microcirculation
- See also
- References
The microcirculation is the circulation of the blood in the smallest blood vessels, the microvessels of the microvasculature present within organ tissues. The microvessels include terminal arterioles, metarterioles, capillaries, and venules. Arterioles carry oxygenated blood to the capillaries, and blood flows out of the capillaries through venules into veins.
In addition to these blood vessels, the microcirculation also includes lymphatic capillaries and collecting ducts. The main functions of the microcirculation are the delivery of oxygen and nutrients and the removal of carbon dioxide (CO2). It also serves to regulate blood flow and tissue perfusion, thereby affecting blood pressure and responses to inflammation which can include edema (swelling).