Which organ system is particularly vulnerable to fluid accumulation due to capillary leakage?

The pulmonary system is particularly vulnerable to fluid accumulation due to capillary leakage because of its extensive network of blood vessels and the thin, delicate structure of the alveoli, where gas exchange occurs. When there is an increase in vascular permeability, which can occur in various conditions such as burns, sepsis, or inflammation, fluid can leak from the capillaries into the interstitium and alveolar spaces. This leads to pulmonary edema, which impairs oxygen exchange and can result in respiratory distress or failure.

In contrast, while the cardiovascular system does deal with fluid dynamics and can be affected by changes in fluid status, the direct impact of capillary leakage predominantly manifests in the lungs. The nervous system can experience complications from fluid shifts, but it is not as directly affected by capillary leakage in terms of fluid accumulation as the pulmonary system. The digestive system can also be influenced by fluid shifts, particularly in conditions like ileus or shock, but it does not face the same immediate risks as the lungs do when significant capillary leakage occurs.