ABSTRACT
The accumulated knowledge has led to significant progress in our understanding of mechanisms of regulation of blood ow and molecular exchange in the microcirculation in many organs and tissues under a variety of physiological and pathological conditions. The importance of the microcirculation is underscored by the fact that most of the hydrodynamic resistance of the circulatory system lies in the microvessels and most of the exchange of nutrients and waste products occurs at the level of the smallest microvessels. In addition to the dramatic developments in experimental techniques, quantitative knowledge and understanding of the microcirculation have been significantly enhanced by theoretical studies, perhaps having a larger impact than in other areas of physiology. Vessel dimensions in the microcirculation are small enough so that the effects of the particulate nature of blood are significant. Further progress in understanding the microcirculation physiome will benefit from the modeling and simulation infrastructure being developed around the world.
