What is "venule"

Venule \Ven"ule\, n. [L. venula, dim. from vena vein.] A small vein; a veinlet; specifically (Zo["o]l.), one of the small branches of the veins of the wings in insects.

"small vein," 1850, from Latin venula, diminutive of vena "vein" (see vein).

n. (context anatomy English) A small vein, especially one that connects capillary to a larger vein.

n. a minute vein continuous with a capillary [syn: venula, capillary vein]

A venule is a very small blood vessel in the microcirculation that allows blood to return from the capillary beds to drain into the larger blood vessels, the veins. Venules range from 7 to 50μm in diameter. Veins contain approximately 70% of total blood volume, 25% of which is contained in the venules. Many venules unite to form a vein.