Relation of capillary morphology to transport of fluid and large molecules: a review

Abstract

Transport characteristics of endothelial cell membranes, cytoplasmic vesicles, intercellular junctions (small pores and large pores) and fenestrae are presented in terms of appropriate models. Morphological differences of capillaries in different vascular beds are compared with physiological differences in permeability to water, small molecules and large molecules, and the correlation of morphologically defined and physiologically defined pathways is analyzed.