blood vessels

• What are the three types of blood vessels?

  •arteries

  •veins

  •capillaries
• What is the structure of blood vessels? (veins and arteries)


  •3 distinct layers: Tunica Externa, Tunica media and Tunica intima

  
• What is the histology of vessels?

  •elastic fibres- provide flexibility and can stretch and recoil. They are thin and interwoven with collagen to prevent tearing. made of elastin.

  •collagen fibres- high tensile strength for structural supper with some flexibility (fibrous protein)

  •smooth muscle- contracts/relaxes to constrict/dilate the lumen

  •endothelium- inner lining of cells, can fold/unfold. single cell thick to reduce diffusion distance. They are smooth to reduce friction