What are the histological differences between elastic and muscular arteries?
Elastic arteries, such as the aorta and its major branches, contain a high proportion of elastic fibers within the tunica media. These fibers allow the vessel to stretch and recoil in response to the pulsatile flow of blood from the heart, maintaining continuous blood flow. In contrast, muscular arteries, which distribute blood to various body regions, have a higher content of smooth muscle cells and fewer elastic fibers. This composition enables greater control over blood flow and pressure through vasoconstriction and vasodilation.
