The Splanchnic Circulation

The vasculature of the intestinal mucosa and that of muscle are in parallel. Therefore, the total pressure drop across each circuit is identical. However, structural and functional differences in the microvessels of each circuit may result in different micro pressure distributions (Bohlen et al., 1975; Gore and Bohlen, 1975). This possibility was tested by direct measurement of micro pressures, diameters, and relative flows in the muscle and mucosal circuits of the rat’s intestine. Relative pre- and postcapillary resistances within each circuit were calculated.