In the past 10 years, microcirculation studies have emphasized quantitative measurements of microvascular diameters to characterize in vivo small vessel responses to experimental forcings such as hemorrhage, anesthesia, and hypoxia. We have developed an instrument to obtain continuous diameter measurements of a small artery and vein (40-200 mu) via closed-circuit television microscopy. The outputs are analog voltages proportional to the vessel diameters. Video processing is limited to two image areas termed "windows," which are defined by markers on the monitor and positioned over separate vertically aligned vessels. Each vessel, which appears darker than the surrounding tissue, is located by comparing the video signal to a reference voltage that adapts to changes in the relative contrast within the window. In the presence of a vessel, a ramp voltage is generated, the peak value of which is proportional to the vessel diameter. These peaks are averaged over the 15-video lines of the window and over several video frames to reduce noise sensitivity. In order to accommodate preparation movement such as skeletal muscle contraction, window position and width automatically adapt to changes in vessel position and width. Visual verification of system performance is provided by clamping the video signal to white on that portion of the image which the instrument identifies as vessel.