Capillary

Image courtesy Nancy Henry

Capillaries are the smallest of blood vessels, with diameter close to that of red blood cells (RBCs). 

Capillaries are seldom conspicuous in sectioned specimens, unless (as shown here) the capillary lies within the plane of section and contains RBCs.
(RBCs are often rinsed out during specimen preparation.)

Comments and questions: dgking@siu.edu

SIUC / School of Medicine / Anatomy / David King

http://www.siumed.edu/~dking2/crr/capillary.htm
Last updated:  12 January 2011 / dgk