Capillaries Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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capillaries
[หkapษชlษriz ]
Definition
blood vessels
Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels in the body, responsible for the exchange of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and waste products between the blood and the tissues.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
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| capillaries |
Used in medical or biological contexts to describe the smallest blood vessels in the body, which connect arterioles and venules and enable the exchange of water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other nutrients and waste substances between blood and surrounding tissues.
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| vessels |
A general term used in medical, biological, or anatomical contexts to refer to any tubular structure that carries blood through the tissues and organs. Includes arteries, veins, capillaries, and other types of blood vessels.
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| arterioles |
Commonly used in medical or biological discussions, arterioles are small branches of arteries that lead to capillaries. They play a key role in regulating blood pressure and blood flow into capillary networks.
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| venules |
Used in medical or biological contexts, venules are small veins that collect blood from capillaries and join to form larger veins. They help carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart.
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Examples of usage
- The capillaries allow for the delivery of oxygen to the cells.
- Capillaries also help in the removal of waste products from tissues.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Biology
- Capillaries are so small that red blood cells often pass through them in single file, ensuring oxygen delivery to tissues.
- Their walls are only one cell thick, which aids in the quick exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products with tissues.
- There are about 25,000 miles of capillaries in the human body, enough to circle the Earth more than once!
Health
- Capillary health is essential for overall well-being; poor circulation can lead to issues like numbness and tingling.
- Conditions such as diabetes can damage capillaries, affecting organs and tissues due to reduced blood flow.
- Capillary refill time (how quickly color returns to a nail bed) can indicate circulatory efficiency and overall health.
Physics
- Capillarity, the phenomenon that allows liquids to rise in narrow spaces, is named after capillaries due to their similar structural dimensions.
- This principle explains why plants can draw water from roots up through tiny tubes to leaves, crucial for photosynthesis.
- Understanding capillary action is vital for innovations in fields like medicine and fluid dynamics for drug delivery systems.
Art and Literature
- Capillaries have been referenced in literature to symbolize the delicate and intricate nature of life and connection.
- Artists sometimes depict the complexity of capillary networks metaphorically to represent the interconnectedness of nature and humanity.
- The term has appeared in various scientific poems and writings, capturing the beauty of biological structures in an artistic voice.
Origin of 'capillaries'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'capillary' comes from the Latin 'capillus,' meaning 'hair,' reflecting the thin, hair-like structure of these vessels.
- First used in the context of biology in the early 17th century, indicating the growing interest in vascular systems.
- In various languages, the term often retains a similar root, highlighting its importance in understanding human biology.
The term 'capillary' comes from the Latin word 'capillaris', meaning 'of hair', due to their hair-like thinness. The discovery of capillaries is credited to the Italian anatomist Marcello Malpighi in the 17th century. He observed these tiny vessels under a microscope, revolutionizing our understanding of the circulatory system.