mikroveresoont

Mikroveresoont, commonly referred to as microvessels, are the smallest components of the circulatory system. They include arterioles, capillaries, and venules, and form the peripheral microcirculation that connects larger arteries and veins. The microvasculature is the primary site of exchange between blood and tissues, delivering oxygen and nutrients and removing carbon dioxide and waste products.

The structure of mikroveresoont varies by type. Arterioles are small arteries with smooth muscle that regulate blood flow and pressure into capillary networks. Capillaries are thin-walled, single-layer endothelial tubes that enable efficient exchange; their walls may be continuous, fenestrated, or discontinuous, and they are supported by pericytes and a basement membrane. Venules collect blood from capillaries and transition back to larger veins. Pericytes, endothelial cells, and the extracellular matrix work together to maintain vessel stability and regulate local blood flow.

Functionally, mikroveresoont control tissue perfusion in response to metabolic demand and environmental conditions. They participate in leukocyte trafficking, regulate heat exchange, and contribute to angiogenesis during growth or healing. Local chemical signals, neural input, and systemic factors influence microvascular tone and permeability.

Clinical relevance is notable because microvascular dysfunction is involved in many diseases. Diabetes and hypertension can cause capillary rarefaction and altered flow, contributing to organ damage. In sepsis, increased permeability may lead to edema. Aging often accompanies reduced capillary density and slower tissue perfusion. Diagnostic approaches include nailfold capillaroscopy and various imaging methods to assess microvascular blood flow.

Research and clinical care of mikroveresoont focus on understanding regulation of microcirculation, improving perfusion in diseased tissue, and protecting it from injury.