Artery cut section picture

The structure of blood vessel walls is important in the regulation of blood flow. The tunica media contains smooth muscle fibers which contract to either dilate or constrict the size of the vessel.






Review Date: 9/27/2005
Reviewed By: A.D.A.M. Medical Illustration Team: Meredith Nienkamp, M.S.M.I., Dan Johnson, M.S.M.I., Lisa Higginbotham, M.S.M.I. Review also provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.