28/07 Lecture 7 - Capillaries and Lymphatics

Continuous capillary

This is the most widespread form of capillary, where the endothelial cell forms a continuous barrier between the cytoplasm and interstitial fluid

Fenestrated capillary

This is a type of capillary found in the kidneys and small intestines, and contains small holes which allow for the easier passage of nutrients and oxygen

Sinusoidal capillary

This is a type of capillary found in the liver and spleen, and features large, intercellular gaps surrounded by an incomplete basement membrane that allow for the passage of larger molecules

Pre-capillary sphincter

This is a small, smooth muscle cell structure oriented circumferentially around the capillaries to allow blood flow into capillaries to be regulated by directing blood away from exchange surfaces

Vascular shunt

This is a structure that moves blood directly from a supply to drainage route, bypassing the exchange surfaces

Metarteriole

This is the supply side of a vascular shunt

Thoroughfare channel

This is the drainage side of a vascular shunt

Apical face

This is the face that faces the free space

Basal face

This is the face that faces the internal tissue

Basement membrane

This is a layer of collagen ECM around the basal surface of a cell that allows it to stick to the sub-endothelial matrix

Lacteal

This is a specialised lymph capillary that absorbs fats from the villi of the small intestines

Cisterna chyli

This means milk jug, and is a collecting vessel for fat-filled lymphatic fluid