Physiology · Cardiovascular System

Microcirculation and capillary exchange

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Definition

  • Capillary exchange is the transport of substances between blood and interstitial fluid across the capillary wall, occurring by diffusion, vesicular transport and filtration.
  • Filtration is governed by Starling's forces, the hydrostatic and osmotic pressures across the capillary wall.
  • Oncotic pressure (plasma colloidal osmotic pressure)normally 25 mmHg

Methods of Capillary Exchange

  • Three methods of capillary exchange
    • Diffusion: gases, nutrients, hormones; the common method in most tissues.
    • Vesicular transport (transcytosis): for large lipid-insoluble substances.
    • Filtration: bulk fluid movement via Starling's forces.
  • In the liver, sinusoidal capillaries allow large proteins such as fibrinogen and albumin to diffuse into circulation directly.
  • Vesicular transport across endothelial cells is also called transcytosis: dissolved plasma proteins are taken up by endocytosis on one side and discharged by exocytosis on the other.