Metaerioles, vessels interposed between aerioles and capillary beds.

The proximal poion of a central channel is known as a metaeriole, whereas its distal poion is the thoroughfare channel. Blood from metaerioles may enter the capillary bed if their precapillary sphincters are relaxed. If the precapillary sphincters of metaerioles are constricted, blood bypasses the capillary bed and flows directly into thoroughfare channels and from there into a venule.