Anaesthesia Fundamentals | Physiology | Capillary Dynamics and Interstitial Fluid

Capillary Dynamics and Interstitial Fluid
Session overview
Description
This session will explain and demonstrate how the structure of capillaries relates to function and how starling forces determine fluid homeostasis in different organ systems.

Learning objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Describe the anatomical features and distribution of continuous capillaries, fenestrated capillaries and discontinuous capillaries/sinusoids in the body and relate these differences to function
• Define the term vasomotion and discuss how the capillary beds alter their tone
• Calculate the Starling forces on a capillary in the systemic circulation, and describe the differences in the brain, kidney, liver and lung
• Explain the contribution of the capillary to the flow and volume characteristics of the systemic circulation as a whole

In this session you will learn about the structure and role of capillaries (Fig 1) in homeostasis of the body. The factors which affect blood flow in the capillary, and the role of different anatomical types of capillaries in the body, will be presented. This will enable the learner to describe the changes in interstitial fluid during health and in abnormal physiological states.