Pulmonary capillaries

Definition

Pulmonary capillaries are tiny blood vessels located in the lungs that facilitate the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the blood and the air in the lung's alveoli. They form a network around the alveolar sacs, ensuring efficient gas exchange essential for respiration.

Related terms

Alveoli: Tiny air sacs in the lungs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place, facilitated by the surrounding pulmonary capillaries.

Oxygenation: The process of adding oxygen to the body's blood supply, primarily occurring within the pulmonary capillaries.

Carbon Dioxide Removal: The process by which carbon dioxide is expelled from the bloodstream, primarily occurring within the pulmonary capillaries