Lecture 19: Vascular Histology Flashcards
What are the three layers of blood vessels?
Tunica Intima (innermost) Tunica Media (middle) Tunica Adventitia (outermost)
What is the tunica intima composed of?
1) Endothelium: reduces friction
2) Basal lamina
3) Subendothelial Layer
The endothelium of the tunica intima is composed of what type of cells?
Squamous epithelial cells (single layer)
The tunica media in the arteries is relatively ____.
The tunica media in the veins is relatively ____.
Arteries: thick
Veins: thin
Why does the tunica media have small openings?
Openings are for nutrients to diffuse
How is the tunica media arranged?
Circular pattern of arranged smooth muscle layers
What separates the tunica media from the tunica adventitia?
Layer of elastin
How is the tunica adventitia arranged?
Longitudinally (up/down) arranged
The tunica adventitia in the arteries is relatively ____.
The tunica adventitia in the veins is relatively ____.
Arteries: thin
Veins: thick
What is the vasa vasorum?
Vessels of tunica adventitia that supply blood to the tunics of the vessels (allows diffusion of nutrients)
What is the nervi vasorum?
Nerves of vessels that allow ANS input that can control the contraction
Describe the hallmarks of the large (elastic) arteries.
- Elastin found in concentric sheets b/t tunica layers
- No fibroblasts
- Very thick tunica media
Describe the hallmarks of the medium (muscular) arteries.
- Less elastin
- Internal and external elastic membranes are more prominent
- Smooth muscle in spiral fashion
- Tunica media and tunica adventitia about same thickness
Describe the hallmarks of the small arteries.
- Internal elastic membrane present
- Up to 8 layers of tunica media
Describe the hallmarks of the arterioles.
- Internal elastic membrane may/may not be present
- Up to 1-2 layers of tunica media