Microvessel
Encyclopedia
Microvessel or microvasculature can refer to:
- ArterioleArterioleAn arteriole is a small diameter blood vessel in the microcirculation that extends and branches out from an artery and leads to capillaries.Arterioles have muscular walls and are the primary site of vascular resistance...
, a small diameter blood vessel that extends and branches out from an artery and leads to capillaries - CapillaryCapillaryCapillaries are the smallest of a body's blood vessels and are parts of the microcirculation. They are only 1 cell thick. These microvessels, measuring 5-10 μm in diameter, connect arterioles and venules, and enable the exchange of water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and many other nutrient and waste...
, the smallest blood vessels - MetarterioleMetarterioleA Metarteriole is a short vessel that links arterioles and venules. Instead of a continuous tunica media, they have individual smooth muscle cells placed a short distance apart, each forming a precapillary sphincter that encircles the entrance to that capillary bed...
, a vessel that links arterioles and capillaries - Sinusoid (blood vessel)Sinusoid (blood vessel)A sinusoid is a small blood vessel similar to a capillary but with a fenestrated endothelium. Fenestrations are pores in the endothelial cells that greatly increase their permeability. In addition, permeability is increased by large inter-cellular clefts and fewer tight junctions...
, similar to a capillary, but with a discontinuous endothelium - VenuleVenuleA venule is a very small blood vessel in the microcirculation that allows deoxygenated blood to return from the capillary beds to the larger blood vessels called veins. Venules range from 8 to 100μm in diameter and are formed when capillaries unite .Venules are blood vessels that drain blood...
, a blood vessel that allows deoxygenated blood to return from the capillary beds to the larger blood vessels called veins - MicrocirculationMicrocirculationThe microcirculation is a term used to describe the small vessels in the vasculature which are embedded within organs and are responsible for the distribution of blood within tissues; as opposed to larger vessels in the macrocirculation which transport blood to and from the organs...
, the system of smaller blood vessels that distribute blood within tissues