METARTERIOLES Meaning and
Definition
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Metarterioles are small blood vessels that play a crucial role in regulating blood flow within various tissues and organs of the body. These vessels act as a bridge connecting arterioles, which carry oxygenated blood away from the heart, with capillaries, which allow for the exchange of nutrients and waste products.
Characterized by their unique structure, metarterioles contain smooth muscle fibers in their walls, similar to arterioles. This smooth muscle enables them to constrict or dilate, thus controlling the amount of blood flowing into the capillary network.
Metarterioles are responsible for regulating blood pressure and maintaining an appropriate balance between blood flow and tissue demand. By constricting, they direct blood towards areas of high demand, ensuring that vital organs and active tissues receive adequate blood supply. Conversely, when dilated, metarterioles allow for increased blood flow and nutrient exchange within specific regions of tissue.
Additionally, metarterioles possess specialized structures called precapillary sphincters, which are located at their junctions with capillaries. These sphincters act as valves, regulating blood flow into individual capillaries according to the metabolic requirements of surrounding cells. By opening or closing, precapillary sphincters control perfusion and help in maintaining tissue homeostasis.
In summary, metarterioles are small blood vessels that connect arterioles to capillaries. They control blood flow through a combination of smooth muscle constriction or dilation, and through the action of precapillary sphincters, ensuring an appropriate distribution of blood to meet the metabolic needs of tissues and organs.
Common Misspellings for METARTERIOLES
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Etymology of METARTERIOLES
The word "metarterioles" is composed of two parts: "meta-" and "arterioles".
The prefix "meta-" comes from the Greek word "meta", meaning "after" or "beyond". It is commonly used as a prefix in scientific terms to indicate a change or transformation.
The second part, "arterioles", refers to small blood vessels that branch off from arteries and lead to capillaries. The term "arterioles" comes from the Latin word "arteriolus", which means "small artery".
Therefore, the word "metarterioles" refers to blood vessels that are "beyond" or "after" the arterioles, indicating their position in the circulatory system as vessels between arterioles and capillaries.
