capillary (redirected from capillary disorder)

capillary /cap·il·lary/ (kap´ĭ-lar″e)

1. pertaining to or resembling a hair.

2. one of the minute vessels connecting the arterioles and venules, the walls of which act as a semipermeable membrane for interchange of various substances between the blood and tissue fluid.

Capillary bed, showing the connection between the arterial and venous capillaries.

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arterial capillary  precapillary; a type of minute vessel lacking a continuous muscular coat, intermediate in structure and location between an arteriole and a capillary.

continuous capillaries  one of the two major types of capillaries, found in muscle, skin, lung, central nervous system, and other tissues, characterized by the presence of an uninterrupted endothelium and a continuous basal lamina, and by fine filaments and numerous pinocytotic vesicles.

fenestrated capillaries  one of the two major types of capillaries, found in the intestinal mucosa, renal glomeruli, pancreas, endocrine glands, and other tissues, and characterized by the presence of circular fenestrae or pores that penetrate the endothelium; these pores may be closed by a very thin diaphragm.

lymph capillary , lymphatic capillary one of the minute vessels of the lymphatic system.

secretory capillary  any of the extremely fine intercellular canaliculi situated between adjacent gland cells, being formed by the apposition of grooves in the parietal cells and opening into the gland's lumen.

venous capillary  postcapillary venule; a type of minute vessel lacking a muscular coat, intermediate in structure and location between a venule and a capillary.

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cap·il·lary (kp-lr)

adj.

1. Of or relating to the capillaries.

2. Relating to or resembling a hair; fine and slender.

n.

Blood capillary.

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Capillary

The tiniest blood vessels with the smallest diameter. These vessels receive blood from the arterioles and deliver blood to the venules.

Mentioned in: Preeclampsia and Eclampsia

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capillary

[kap′iler′ē]

Etymology: L, capillaris, hairlike

one of the microscopic blood vessels (about 0.008 mm in diameter) joining arterioles and venules. The wall consists of a single layer of endothelial cells, which are specialized squamous epithelial cells. Blood and tissue fluids exchange various substances across these walls.

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capillary (kap´ilerē),

n the terminal vessels uniting the arterial with the venous systems of the body. They are organized into extensive branching reticular beds to provide a maximal surface for exchange of fluids, electrolytes, and metabolites between tissues and the vascular system.

capillary attraction,

n the quality or state that, because of surface tension, causes elevation or depression of the surface of a liquid that is in contact with a solid. Considered to be one of the factors in retention of complete dentures.

capillary disorder,

n a hemorrhagic disorder caused by increased fragility of the blood vessels that may cause hemorrhages in the skin and mucous membranes

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capillary

1. pertaining to or resembling a hair.

2. one of the minute vessels connecting arterioles and venules, the walls of which act as a membrane for interchange of various substances between the blood and tissue fluid. (See circulatory system.) The walls consist of thin endothelial cells through which dissolved substances and fluids can pass. At the arterial end, the blood pressure within the capillary is generally higher than the pressure in the surrounding tissues, and the blood fluid and some dissolved solid substances pass outward through the capillary wall. At the venous end of the capillary, the pressure within the tissues is generally higher, and waste material and fluids from the tissues pass into the capillary, to be carried away for disposal. See starling's hypothesis.

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continuous capillary

a capillary with no pores or other interruptions in the endothelial walls, e.g. in muscle, lung, nervous system.

fenestrated c's

capillaries with pores are scattered throughout the endothelial walls, e.g. in endocrine glands, intestines, kidneys.

capillary fragility

see capillary fragility.

lymph capillary

the smallest lymphatic vessel. Consists of an endothelial tube embedded in connective tissue.

perforated capillary

see fenestrated capillary (above).

capillary permeability

ability of large molecules to pass out of the capillary lumen into surrounding tissue spaces; inflammation, allergy, poisoning, burns cause increased permeability resulting in plasma leakage and edema in surrounding tissues.

capillary refill time (CRT)

the time required for mucosa (oral in horse or dog, vaginal in cow, sheep) which has been blanched by finger pressure to return to a normal pink color. Failure to return promptly is an indication of peripheral circulatory failure, due for example to dehydration or hypovolemic shock.

sinus c's

part of the vasculature of avian skin. Occur together with standard capillaries but they are larger in diameter and may have some smooth muscle cells associated with the endothelial cells.

sinusoidal c's

large and irregularly shaped; occur in endocrine glands, aortic and carotid bodies.