Under electron microscopy, the cytoplasm of the pulmonary capillary endothelial cell appears:
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: Very thin and attenuated away from the nucleus
Most of the endothelial cell's volume is concentrated around the nucleus. The rest of the cell extends into very thin processes that line the capillary, providing the minimum possible barrier for gas exchange.
Keep practicing
More Pulmonary Capillaries questions
- What is the primary source of blood for the pulmonary capillary beds involved in gas exchange?
- Leukocytes (WBCs) can sometimes be found 'marginally' in pulmonary capillaries. This refers to:
- Which type of capillary is most characteristic of the pulmonary alveolar walls?
- What is the primary function of the pulmonary capillary network within the alveolar septum?
- Which of the following describes the relationship between the pulmonary capillary endothelium and the alveolar epithelium?
- How does the diameter of a pulmonary capillary compare to the diameter of a red blood cell (RBC)?