Endothelial tissue

• Endothelial tissue is a layer of flattened cells which are one cell thick.
• Endothelial tissue can be found lining of the heart, blood vessels and lymphatic vessels.
• These cells provide a short diffusion pathway for the movement of various substances i.e. digestion products, blood plasma and tissue fluid.
• Carbon monoxide and high BP can damage the tissue.
• The white blood cells will repair/encourage growth of smooth muscle and the deposition of cholesterol under the endothelial lining not the surface like normal.
• When cholesterol is deposited under the lining instead of on this is known as atherosclerosis.
• Atheroma (plaque) can build up so much that it breaks through the lining and will start to for in the lumen of the artery reducing the size of the artery.