(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)非常(ひじょう)(ほそ)い。
Capillaries are extremely thin.
毛細血管(もうさいけっかん)酸素(さんそ)栄養(えいよう)交換(こうかん)される。
Oxygen and nutrients are exchanged in the capillaries.
(さむ)さで毛細血管(もうさいけっかん)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."

BLOOD VESSEL HIERARCHY:

  • 動脈(どうみゃく): artery (carries blood 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)

The walls of 毛細血管(もうさいけっかん) are only one cell thick, allowing for gas and nutrient exchange.