Structure of the b
Structure of the blood vessel
The arterial wall can be considered as a three- layer composite material . The three distinct layers are called tunics , the inner most layer is composed of epithelial tissues resting on a connective tissue membrane rich which elastic and collagenous fibers , this layer is called the endothelium or tunica intima . The middle layer (tunica media) which makes up the bulk of the arterial wall is composed of smooth – muscle fibers and of an elastic connective tissue. The outer layer (tunica adventitia ) consists mainly of connective tissue, and elastic and collagenous fibres , this layer cantinas minute vessels ( vasavasorum) which provide blood to the external walls of the artery .(96).
This structure varies along the arterial tree, and the layers thickness are not constant .The mechanical properties of the
artery are dependent not only on the composition of the layers but also on their anisotropy.(97)