Pulmonary capillaries

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Pulmonary capillaries are tiny and delicate blood vessels through which red blood cells can obtain oxygen from the lungs.

In fact, this is precisely where respiration takes place.

The plumbing of the human body.

In a metaphorical sense, blood circulation in the human body can be compared to the plumbing that supplies water pipes and distribution appliances in a house, enabling its use. Our vascular system consists of arteries, veins, and capillaries, all serving as blood vessels.

Blood is transported to organs through arteries and then utilized by cells at the capillary level, which are the smallest and finest blood vessels.

Capillaries can be likened to sinks and washbasins in your home. This is where you use the water.

Just as domestic wastewater is drained into sewers through drains from sinks, bathtubs, and others, the human body eliminates its waste through its blood vessels, primarily the veins.

Lavabo

An exception that proves the rule

Blood circulation in the lungs deviates from this description. Here, it is the arteries that carry deoxygenated blood rich in carbon dioxide (CO2).

Veins return fully oxygenated blood back to the heart.

The capillaries of the pulmonary circulation

Pulmonary capillaries act as connecting points between the pulmonary arteries and veins.

These microscopic vessels allow red blood cells to flow single file, facilitating the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide (CO2).

One can liken pulmonary capillaries to perforated drains covered with a membrane that prevents proteins and blood cells from escaping, while allowing blood fluids to exit or return to circulation. Normally, a balance is maintained, preventing any fluid buildup in the lungs.

All lung cells are immersed in this fluid, where oxygen and carbon dioxide (CO2) can easily diffuse.

The alveoli

The lungs consist of numerous small air sacs called alveoli, totaling over 600 million in number.

Each alveolus has a diameter of 0.2 mm and is lined with a very thin membrane covered by pulmonary capillaries.

The thin layer of cells lining the inside of the alveoli is immersed in the fluid described earlier.

This fluid enables contact between the cells of the capillaries and those of the alveoli, facilitating the exchange of oxygen (O₂) and carbon dioxide (CO₂)..

High Concentration to Low Concentration

All this gas exchange occurs through diffusion, meaning from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration.

L’effet de la respiration

Very efficiently, deoxygenated venous blood loaded with carbon dioxide (CO₂) arrives in the capillaries to replenish oxygen (O₂). This oxygen is diffused from the alveoli into the capillaries as fuel, while CO₂, a waste product of cells, is eliminated during exhalation in the respiratory cycle.

Once oxygenated, the blood leaves the alveoli and heads towards the heart, from where it is pumped to oxygenate the organs of the human body.