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

“It’s searing pain from all the lactic acid. It floods your system. You blow capillaries in your eyes, you throw up after races,” said Cheek, now an NBC analyst.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 21, 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

Their kidneys retained denser networks of capillaries, stronger filtration barriers, and more stable energy production within cells.

From Science Daily • Jan. 30, 2026

That’s in part because consistent and frequent exercise prompts your body to form new capillaries.

From Seattle Times • May 20, 2024

Unable to glide smoothly through capillaries and veins, sickled red cells jammed into microscopic clots throughout the body, interrupting blood flow and precipitating the excruciating pain of a sickling crisis.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee