microcirculation
Tiny vessel traffic
Microcirculation is blood flow through the smallest vessels in the body—the capillaries, arterioles, and venules.
This is where oxygen and nutrients actually transfer to tissues and waste products are picked up.
The term appears in medical contexts discussing tissue health, wound healing, or conditions like diabetes that damage small vessels: Poor microcirculation can lead to slow-healing wounds.
Smallest arterial vessels
- venulesSmallest vein branches
- capillariesTiniest blood vessels
- endotheliumCells lining blood vessels
Fluid delivery to tissue
- vasodilationRelaxation of vessel walls
- vasoconstrictionArterial walls contracting inward
- oxygenationAdding breathable gas
- ischemiaInsufficient tissue blood supply
Providing breathable gas medically
- waste removalEliminating unwanted materials
- carbon dioxideRespiration byproduct, photosynthesis fuel
- osmotic pressurePressure from solvent movement
- extravasationFluid escaping containment vessels
Reactive nitrogen-oxygen compound
- prostaglandinsLipid-derived signaling compounds
- autoregulationIntrinsic flow homeostasis mechanism
- smooth muscleInvoluntary contractile tissue
- adenosinePurine nucleoside in cells
Clot forming in vessel
- edemaPathological tissue puffiness
- inflammationProtective tissue response
- rarefactionDecrease in density
- sepsisDangerous inflammatory infection response
Of eye's inner lining
- pulmonaryOf the lungs
- cerebralRelating to intellect
- coronaryOf heart arteries
- skeletal muscleVoluntary movement tissue
arterioles
Smallest arterial vessels
- venulesSmallest vein branches
- capillariesTiniest blood vessels
- endotheliumCells lining blood vessels
perfusion
Fluid delivery to tissue
- vasodilationRelaxation of vessel walls
- vasoconstrictionArterial walls contracting inward
- oxygenationAdding breathable gas
ischemia · hypoxia · autoregulation · hyperemia · reperfusion
oxygen delivery
Providing breathable gas medically
- waste removalEliminating unwanted materials
- carbon dioxideRespiration byproduct, photosynthesis fuel
- osmotic pressurePressure from solvent movement
nitric oxide
Reactive nitrogen-oxygen compound
- prostaglandinsLipid-derived signaling compounds
- autoregulationIntrinsic flow homeostasis mechanism
- smooth muscleInvoluntary contractile tissue
thrombosis
Clot forming in vessel
- edemaPathological tissue puffiness
- inflammationProtective tissue response
- rarefactionDecrease in density
retinal
Of eye's inner lining