23/07 Lecture 6 - Arteries and Veins

Great saphenous vein

This is a superficial vein that runs from the lower leg to the hip

Tunica intima

This is the innermost layer of blood vessel walls. It is lined by endothelial cells, cushioned by a sparse pad of loose FCT in the sub-endothelium, and contains an internal elastic lamina

Tunica media

This is the middle layer of blood vessel walls. It contains smooth muscle cells, a variable content of connective tissue made of elastin and collagen, and the thickness is proportional to vessel diameter and BP

Tunica adventitia

This is the outermost layer of blood vessel walls. It is made of loose FCT with high collagen content, contains lymphatics and autonomic nerves, and large vessels may contain a vasa vasorum

Vasa vasorum

Small blood vessels that supply the tunica adventitia in larger veins and arteries

Venule

This describes the smallest veins that mark the start of the drainage system