What role do endothelial cells play in arterial walls?
Endothelial cells line the interior surface of the tunica intima and have multiple functions. They serve as a barrier between the blood and the arterial wall, regulate the passage of materials and the movement of white blood cells, and release substances that control vascular relaxation and contraction. Endothelial dysfunction can lead to a variety of vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis.
