Properties Of Ateries And Arterial Replacement

Question 1

Structure of artery wall

Answer 1

• Tunica intimate: single layer of cells that covers interface with the blood on a thin fibrous wall
• Tunica media: thickest layer - for large arteries its is made of layers of elastic tissue separated by thin layers of connective tissue
• Tunica adventitia - made of loose connective tissue, merges with surroundings

Question 2

Composition of arteries

Answer 2

• Layers of oriented elastin with randomly oriented collagen - strong J-curve
• elastin fibres aligned around circumference, as artery is strained collagen fibres straighten and align, E increases
• elastin fibres deflect longitudinal crack growth and counteract high hoop stresses
• in wall of pressurised tube hoop stress = 2x longitudinal stress

Question 3

Elastic response of arteries

Answer 3

• arteries are pre-stressed
• anisotropic
• properties depend on dimensions and intrinsic vessel dimensions