Capillaries – structure, role in the body, the most common diseases

Capillaries are part of the circulatory system in the human body. They are in the final stage of transport of nutrients, hormones and metabolic products between blood and tissue. Capillaries are characterized by a simple structure, and their functions in the body are extremely important.

What are capillaries?

Capillaries (also known as capillaries) are a small but fundamental element of the blood system. They can be found in every tissue of the human body, and they reach almost all cells. Capillaries they are, in fact, a network of narrow blood vessels entwining tissues. They participate in the exchange of oxygen and numerous substances between blood and tissues. Capricorns are characteristic not only of humans. They are also found in all mammals and many other vertebrates – fish, amphibians, reptiles and birds. Three types can be distinguished capillarieswhich vary depending on the type of cookware to be joined. They are a transition zone in the arteriovenous network (the so-called strange networks in the renal body), the arteriovenous network and the veno-venous network (the so-called portal system).

Capillaries – structure

Capillaries characterized by a simple structure. They are formed only by the endothelium – a specialized lining of blood and lymph vessels formed from a single layer of cells. The endothelium lines all blood vessels, lymph vessels, and the heart. Capillaries in addition, they have numerous pores that enable the exchange of substances between blood and tissues. The external structure of the capillaries is also important. They are adhered to pericytes, i.e. irregularly placed cells capable of strong contractions. Capillaries they are very narrow, their diameter ranges from 7 to 15 micrometers.

Capillaries – types and classification

Capillaries they differ in structure depending on the functional state of the tissue they entwine. For this reason, there are three types of capillaries:

  1. type I – vessels with a continuous wall – the endothelium is continuous, there are no openings and gaps. This type of capillary has selective permeability which is controlled by a continuous layer of endothelium. Vessels with a continuous wall are, among others, in connective tissue, exocrine glands;
  2. type II – vessels with a window wall – the endothelium has small openings covered with a diaphragm. This type is characterized by high permeability to high-molecular substances and occurs, among others, in the kidneys and intestines;
  3. type III – sinus vessels with a discontinuous wall – the endothelium has many openings and gaps between individual cells, thanks to which the permeability is very high. These capillaries are present e.g. in the liver, spleen and bone marrow.

Capillaries – what are their functions?

The functions they perform capillariesare very important for maintaining proper processes in the human body. Capillaries are involved in the exchange of substances between tissues and blood. They provide cells with, inter alia, oxygen, nutrients, building substances, hormones, vitamins, and they remove metabolic products, carbon dioxide and thermal energy. Their construction additionally improves transport functions. Due to the numerous bends in the network and the narrow diameter of the vessels, the blood flow rate is significantly reduced, and therefore more substances can penetrate the endothelium.

To strengthen the blood vessels, reach for the Vegan chestnut emulsion with pennywort to strengthen the blood vessels. Thanks to its use, vessels can be made more flexible and sealed. The cosmetic improves blood circulation and eliminates exudates.

Cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases in our society constitute the majority of common ailments. Diseases affect different parts of the blood system – veins, arteries, capillaries and hearts. Atherosclerosis, causing ischemic heart disease, is one of the most common causes of death in the world. In Europe, it occurs in 20-40 thousand. people per million inhabitants. Which cardiovascular diseases affect capillaries in particular?

Inflammation of the capillaries

The disease is inflammation and damage to the walls capillaries. Inflammation can also spread to veins and arteries. The ailment may take a different course. With severe inflammation, the capillary walls are irreversibly damaged. A related disease is systemic vasculitis, which is actually a group of diseases that cause inflammation and necrosis of the vessels.

Goodpasture’s syndrome

It is a rare autoimmune disease that focuses on the kidneys and lungs. Goodpasture’s syndrome is extremely dangerous. In just a few days, it causes respiratory failure or renal failure, which is why it is referred to by another name – pulmonary-renal syndrome. Inflammation occurs during the course of the disease capillaries glomeruli or capillaries spit. Goodpasture’s syndrome is manifested by weight loss, fever, malaise, diarrhea, nausea, joint pains, and at a later stage, depending on whether the kidneys or lungs are affected, cough with blood, shortness of breath or, in the case of kidneys, haematuria, pain in the joints lumbar region, swelling.

Leave a Reply