Muscular Artery Wall
Muscular Artery Wall

Muscular Artery Wall

The tunica media of muscular arteries contains fewer elastic fibers and more smooth muscle cells than elastic arteries. Note the prominent internal elastic lamina, a layer of elastic tissue in the tunica intima. The external elastic lamina separates the tunica media from tunica adventitia. How does the composition of medial layer reflect the function of this type of artery?
Answer: Muscular arteries control the distribution of blood to different parts of the body. The smooth muscle cells in the medial layer contract to decrease the lumen of the artery and decrease blood flow or relax to increase the diameter of the lumen and the amount of blood flow.