capillary

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Derived terms 1.3.2 Translations 1.3.3 See also 1.3.4 External links

[edit] English

Wikipedia

[edit] Etymology

From Latin capillaris (“‘pertaining to the hair’”) < capillus (“‘the hair, prop. of the head’”) < caput (“‘head’”).

[edit] Pronunciation

• (UK, Canada) IPA: /kəˈpɪləri/
• (US, Canada) IPA: /ˈkæpɪˌlɛri/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

[edit] Noun

capillary (plural capillaries)

1. (anatomy) Any of the small blood vessels that connect arteries to veins. Their walls are composed of a single layer of cells which allows molecules such as oxygen, water and lipids to pass through them by diffusion and enter the tissues. Waste products such as carbon dioxide and urea can diffuse back into the blood to be carried away for removal from the body.

[edit] Derived terms

• capillarity

[edit] Translations

[edit] See also

• artery
• circulatory system
• vein

[edit] External links

• capillary in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• capillary in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911