Quick Facts
A venule is any of the small vessels that collect blood from the capillary plexuses and join to form veins (Dorland, 2011).
Related parts of the anatomy
Structure/Morphology
The pulmonary venules are responsible for returning oxygenated blood from the lung tissue to the pulmonary veins, which subsequently will transport it back to the left atrium of the heart. The extensive network of capillaries surrounding the alveoli are drained by the pulmonary venules.
Function
The pulmonary venules return oxygenated blood back to the heart, where it can enter the systemic circulation.
References
Dorland, W. (2011) Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary. 32nd edn. Philadelphia, USA: Elsevier Saunders.
