Which of the Following is NOT a Component of the Microcirculation

Question

Which of the following is NOT a component of the microcirculation?
A) metarterioles
B) arterioles
C) venules
D) veins
E) capillaries

Accepted Answer

Veins are not considered a component of the microcirculation. Microcirculation refers to the smallest blood vessels in the body, including arterioles, capillaries, and venules, which facilitate the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste between blood and tissues. Metarterioles are transitional vessels between arterioles and capillaries. Veins, however, are larger vessels that return deoxygenated blood back to the heart and are not involved in the direct exchange at the tissue level.