HealthAugust 28, 2026

microvascular

MY-kroh-VAS-kyuh-ler

Definition

Relating to the smallest blood vessels in the body, such as capillaries and arterioles, which are responsible for the exchange of nutrients and oxygen at the tissue level.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek 'mikros' meaning 'small' and the Latin 'vasculum', a diminutive form of 'vas' meaning 'vessel'. The term emerged in the late 19th century to describe the smallest components of the circulatory system.

In the news

The author notes that skin is densely vascularized, meaning its microvascular function provides a visible signal of a patient's overall vascular and systemic health.

Reading the Skin: What the Body’s Largest Organ Reports About Everything Else

Read the full article ↗

WorldHealth.net

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