Types of Capillaries and Their Functions

Flashcards covering the types of capillaries, their functions, and relevant components of the circulatory and lymphatic systems.

Continuous Capillaries

The most common type of capillaries found all over the body, where the artery enters a tissue as an arteriole and leaves as a venule.

Fenestrated Capillaries

Capillaries characterized by 'windows' (fenestra) between the cells, allowing for enhanced filtration and diffusion.

Sinusoids

A type of capillary that has numerous holes, allowing for the passage of cells and larger substances, part of an open circulatory system.

Arterioles

Small blood vessels that supply blood to capillaries.

Venules

Small blood vessels that carry away waste products from capillaries back to the heart.

Lymphatic System

A system that returns excess fluid to the cardiovascular system and has other important functions in maintaining fluid balance.