capacitance
Definition
In the context of the cardiovascular system, capacitance refers to the ability of blood vessels to stretch and hold more blood volume when necessary. It is a measure of the flexibility and adaptability of blood vessels in response to changes in blood pressure or volume.
Analogy
Imagine a flexible water balloon being filled with water; as more water is added, the balloon expands to accommodate the extra volume without bursting. Similarly, blood vessels can expand to hold more blood when needed, such as during exercise or stress, demonstrating their capacitance.
Related terms
Elasticity: The ability of blood vessel walls to return to their original shape after being stretched or contracted.
Vascular resistance: The opposition to blood flow within the bloodstream, primarily influenced by the diameter and smoothness of the vessel walls.
Venous return: The amount of blood returned to the heart by the veins; it is influenced by factors such as venous tone and capacitance of the veins
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