2.9 Role of Pre-Capillary Sphincters
Blood Flow through Capillary Networks
Blood flows from arterioles into metarterioles, then into thoroughfare channels. Capillaries branch from these channels, forming the site of exchange. Blood then collects from the capillaries and thoroughfare channels into venules. The Rate Of Blood Flow In Blood Vessels→ is significantly reduced in these networks to allow for efficient exchange.
Pre-Capillary Sphincters
Structure and Location: Pre-capillary sphincters are smooth muscle cells located at the origin of capillary branches where capillaries emerge from thoroughfare channels or metarterioles.
Function: Pre-capillary sphincters act as gatekeepers, regulating blood flow into individual capillaries by opening and closing the entrance to the capillary. This controls the amount of blood supplied to specific tissues. Unlike larger vessels, these are not primarily under direct nervous control but respond to local chemical conditions.
Operational State: Pre-capillary sphincters typically exist in either a completely open or completely closed state. The degree of constriction of the metarteriole itself can also vary. In a resting individual, only about 5-10% of the body's capillary beds are open at any given time.
Vasomotion
Vasomotion is the cyclic opening and closing of pre-capillary sphincters and metarterioles. This cycle occurs several times per minute.
The duration of the open phases is directly proportional to the metabolic needs of the surrounding tissue. Tissues with higher metabolic activity, such as actively contracting muscle, will have sphincters open for longer periods, allowing more blood flow and oxygen and nutrient delivery. This is triggered by local factors such as low , high , and low pH.
