How does the tunica media contribute to vascular function?
The tunica media is the middle layer of the blood vessel wall, primarily composed of smooth muscle cells and elastic fibers. In arteries, this layer is particularly thick and provides structural support, allowing the vessel to withstand high pressure from the pumping heart. The smooth muscle cells in the tunica media enable vasoconstriction and vasodilation, regulating blood flow and pressure by contracting or relaxing in response to various stimuli, including neural and hormonal signals.
