Changes in the brain microcirculatory bed in craniocerebral trauma

The microcirculatory bed is an important department of the circulatory system and determines not only the state of peripheral hemodynamics but also the trophic function of the organs. Microcirculatory bed, including arterioles, precapillaries, capillaries, venules, arteriolovenular anastomoses, constitutes 90% of all blood vessels [9, 18J. Arterioles - long meandering vessels 30-40 µ in diameter - are divided into terminal and mesarterioles. Precapillaries are 15-20 µ in diameter and regulate blood flow to true capillaries. Arterioles and precapillaries perform a transport function, delivering nutrients to the organ. Excretion of metabolic products from the organ occurs only in the capillary channel. Blood flow in capillaries depends on the activity of precapillary sphincters. Capillaries are usually straight and their wall lacks muscular elements. The appearance of tortuosity indicates damage to the capillary bed and impaired blood flow in it.