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Updated: Aug 26, 2026

Microiontophoresis and Micromanipulation for Intravital Fluorescence Imaging of the Microcirculation
Published on: June 10, 2011
Vasomotion: mechanisms and physiological importance
Holger Nilsson1, Christian Aalkjaer
1The Water and Salt Center and Department of Physiology University of Aarhus, Universitetsparken, Bldg 160 Dk-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. holger.nilsson@fi.au.dk
Abstract:
That smooth muscles dilate and contract rhythmically has been known for a long time and the phenomenon has been studied for nearly as long. However, the causes and effects of smooth muscle oscillation (termed vasomotion) are far from clear. It is thought that vasomotion aids the delivery of oxygen to tissues surrounding capillary beds. On the other hand, unregulated vasomotion might participate in the development and maintenance of pathophysiological states. Nilsson and Aalkjaer review what is known about vasomotion and its consequences.
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