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Describe  Capillaries.

Capillaries

  • They are the smallest  vessels, their avarage diameter is ` 8 µm.
  • Referred  as exchange vessels , because they are involved in exchange of gases nutrients and metabolites between blood and tissues.
  • Their walls consist  of endothelial cells and basement membrane.

What are the Different Types of Capillaries?

There are two types of capillaries:

Continuous capillaries

  • These are the commenest type of capillaries.
  • Endothelial cells form continuous lining.
  • They are present in connective tissue, muscle , brain, lung, exocrine glands

Fenestrated capillaries

  • These capillaries have tiny pores in the endothelial cells.
  • The pores closed by thin diaphragm.
  • They are found in endocrine glands, small intestine and renal glomeruli.

continuous and fenstrated capillaries

What are sinusoids?

Sinusoids are wide capillaries which have a fenestrated or discontinuous endothelium.There are gaps between endothelial cells  (basement membrane is incomplete).

  • Their diameter is about  30-40 µm.
  • Phagocytic cells may be seen in the wall.
  • They are present in liver, spleen, adrenal medulla and bone marrow.

sinusoid structure

Name the Sites Where Sinusoids are Found.

 Sites where sinusoids are found are:

• Liver
• Spleen
• Bone marrow
• Anterior pituitary gland

What are the Differences Between Capillaries and Sinusoids?

 Following are the differences between capillaries and sinusoids

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