What is a small vein that is continuous with a capillary bed called?

The term used to describe a small vein that is continuous with a capillary bed is "venule." Venules are small blood vessels that collect deoxygenated blood from capillaries and transport it to larger veins. They play a crucial role in the venous system, acting as the connecting vessels between the capillary network, where exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste occurs, and the larger veins that eventually drain blood back towards the heart.

Venules have thinner walls compared to larger veins, which allows them to serve their function effectively in the microcirculation. They are typically the first vessels to emerge from capillary beds and are essential for returning blood to the systemic circulation after it has passed through the capillaries.

In contrast, a capillary is a tiny blood vessel where the exchange of substances between blood and tissues occurs, while a vein refers to larger blood vessels that carry blood towards the heart, and arteries carry blood away from the heart. Therefore, none of these terms correctly identify the small vessel that connects to capillary beds as specifically as "venule" does.