Morphological classifications of vertebrate blood capillaries

Abstract

Morphological features of blood capillaries from various vertebrate forms and organs are presented. Simple classifications are proposed, based on presence or absence of continuous basement membrane, on the nature of the endothelial cell and on the presence or absence of a complete investment of pericapillary cells. It is suggested that these varying capillary structural features may be relevant to problems relating to exchange of materials between blood plasma and parenchymal cells. Simple three-digit notation systems are presented for characterizing and designating the type of any capillary with respect to the classifications submitted.