毛 細 血 管(もうさいけっかん)

もうさいけっかん

noun

capillary; capillary blood vessel

1. capillary; capillary blood vessel

The smallest blood vessels in the body where the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products occurs between blood and tissues.

毛細血管(もうさいけっかん)は非常(ひじょう)に細(ほそ)い。

Capillaries are extremely thin.

毛細血管(もうさいけっかん)で酸素(さんそ)と栄養(えいよう)が交換(こうかん)される。

Oxygen and nutrients are exchanged in the capillaries.

寒(さむ)さで毛細血管(もうさいけっかん)が収縮(しゅうしゅく)する。

Capillaries constrict in the cold.

毛細血管(もうさいけっかん) literally means "hair-thin blood vessel" — 毛細(もうさい) (hair-fine) + 血管(けっかん) (blood vessel).

Blood vessel hierarchy

動脈(どうみゃく): artery (carries blood away from heart)
静脈(じょうみゃく): vein (returns blood to heart)
毛細血管(もうさいけっかん): capillary (connects arteries and veins)

Common collocations

毛細血管(もうさいけっかん)が収縮(しゅうしゅく)する: capillaries constrict
毛細血管(もうさいけっかん)が拡張(かくちょう)する: capillaries dilate

Usage

The walls of 毛細血管(もうさいけっかん) are only one cell thick, allowing gas and nutrient exchange. This word appears in biology classes, medical contexts, and health discussions about blood circulation.

general

Added 2026.1.17 6:25 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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