Peripheral blood flow

Peripheral blood flow is the movement of blood through the peripheral vasculature (arteries, capillaries, and veins) supplying tissues outside the central circulatory organs. It is regulated by vessel diameter (vasoconstriction/vasodilation), neural and hormonal signals, and is crucial for tissue oxygenation and nutrient delivery. Abnormal peripheral blood flow underlies multiple disorders, such as peripheral artery disease and vascular complications in shock and hypertension. Therapeutic drugs may alter peripheral blood flow indirectly through action on molecular targets like adrenergic receptors or enzymes regulating vascular tone.

Other names

Peripheral circulationperipheral vascular flow

Vasodilation (drug-induced widening of blood vessels); Vasoconstriction (drug-induced narrowing of blood vessels); Endothelial modulation (e.g., via nitric oxide, endothelin)