How does the diameter of a pulmonary capillary compare to the diameter of a red blood cell (RBC)?
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Correct answer: The capillary is near RBC diameter, forcing single-file passage
Pulmonary capillaries typically have a diameter of 5–8 micrometers, which is similar to that of an RBC. This forcing of RBCs into a single file ensures that each cell is in close proximity to the alveolar wall for gas exchange.
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