capillaries

Cultural  

1. The tiny blood vessels throughout the body that connect arteries and veins. Capillaries form an intricate network around body tissues in order to distribute oxygen and nutrients to the cells and remove waste substances. (See circulatory system.)

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Example Sentences

Their earlier work had shown that small contractile cells called pericytes tighten coronary capillaries during the early stages of ischemia, a condition that occurs when the heart muscle is deprived of oxygen-rich blood.

From Science Daily • Mar. 4, 2026

If done properly, it's unlikely to cause you any harm, but Tina warns that "too much pressure can cause bruising or broken capillaries, so be gentle".

From BBC • Feb. 16, 2026

That pressure prevents cancer medications from flowing through capillaries to hair follicles and nerves in the hands and feet, Hannon said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 7, 2026

Researchers hope these artificial capillaries will aid in the development of better snakebite treatments while lowering the dependence on animal models.

From Science Magazine • Jun. 5, 2024

There may be minute quantities of liquid water in pores and capillaries in the soil.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan