Capillary arteriole is a medical term used to describe the smallest arterial blood vessels in the human body. The spelling of this word is quite complex and requires an understanding of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The word is comprised of three syllables, the first being "cap" (kæp), followed by "il" (ɪl), and "lary" (lɛri). The final two syllables are "ar" (ɑr) and "iole" (aɪoʊl). Understanding the IPA is critical for accurately spelling complex medical terms like capillary arteriole.
A capillary arteriole is a minute blood vessel that is part of the greater circulatory system. It serves as a crucial connection between larger arteries and smaller capillaries. Arterioles are responsible for carrying oxygen-rich blood away from the heart in order to supply the vital organs, tissues, and cells throughout the body. The term "capillary arteriole" recognizes the specific arterioles that lead directly into the smallest blood vessels known as capillaries.
Capillary arterioles play a significant role in the regulation of blood flow and distribution within the body. They consist of a single layer of smooth muscle cells and possess a narrower diameter compared to arteries. This structure allows for the control of blood pressure and flow by constriction or dilation of the arterioles. Through this mechanism, capillary arterioles help to regulate blood flow to specific areas, responding to the body's demands and ensuring appropriate delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissues.
Due to their microscopic size, capillary arterioles are a critical point of exchange between the circulatory system and surrounding tissues. They supply capillaries throughout the body, where the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products occurs. This allows for the delivery of essential substances to cells while facilitating the removal of metabolic waste.
In summary, a capillary arteriole is a small blood vessel that connects larger arteries to microscopic capillaries, serving as an interface for the distribution of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products between the circulatory system and various tissues and organs.
A minute artery which terminates in a capillary.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "capillary arteriole" is not a commonly used term in anatomy or medicine. It seems to be a combination of two different terms: "capillary" and "arteriole".
The word "capillary" comes from the Latin word "capillaris", meaning "hair-like". This is because capillaries are the smallest and thinnest blood vessels in the body, resembling tiny hairs.
On the other hand, the term "arteriole" comes from the Latin word "arteriola", which means "small artery". Arterioles are small branches of arteries that lead to capillaries.
Therefore, the etymology of the term "capillary arteriole" can be understood by the combination of the Latin words "capillaris" and "arteriola", both referring to the characteristics of the blood vessels involved.