Capillary bed

In general a capillary bed is an interwoven network of tiny blood vessels called capillaries that supply the cells of the organ (in this case the skin, which is also known as the 'integument' or 'integumentary system') with nutrients and carry away waste products.

The capillary bed in the skin is located in the hypodermis (which is also known as the "sub-cutaneous") layer.

These capillary networks are supplied with blood by arterioles and drained of blood by venules. Each capillary is a tiny blood vessel whose walls are only one cell thick, which enables the exchange of oxygen, carbon dioxide, water, and salts between the blood flowing through the capillary vessels and the surrounding tissues.

To view the location of the capillary bed relative to other parts of the skin see the diagram of the structure of the skin. This may be of particular interest to students of courses in massage, reflexology, beauty therapies, and other health science or clinical courses.

This may be of particular interest to students of courses in massage, reflexology, beauty therapies, and other health science or clinical courses.