Artery and Vein Anatomy Vocabulary

A set of vocabulary flashcards detailing the structural layers and components of arteries and veins based on Stuart I. Fox's Human Physiology 4th edition.

Tunica intima

The innermost layer of a vessel composed of endothelial cells and elastin.

Tunica media

The middle layer of a blood vessel composed of smooth muscle.

Tunica externa

The outermost layer of a vessel composed of outer fibrous connective tissue.

Serosa

An anatomical layer composed of epithelial cells as shown in Figure 3.

Valve

A specific structural component found in a vein to assist with blood flow.

Endothelial cells

The specific cell types that make up the Tunica intima.

Elastin

A flexible protein component found in the Tunica intima layer of an artery.

Smooth muscle

The tissue type making up the Tunica media layer.

Outer fibrous connective tissue

The material that constitutes the Tunica externa.

Epithelial cells

The cell types that comprise the Serosa layer.