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.

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