Vessel wall

The vessel wall is a complex anatomical structure that forms the boundary of all blood vessels and is composed of three primary layers: the innermost tunica intima (mainly endothelial cells), the middle tunica media (smooth muscle cells and elastic fibers), and the outer tunica adventitia (connective tissue, nerves, and small vessels called vasa vasorum)[1][2][3][4][8]. Each layer contributes to the diverse functions of the vessel wall, including regulation of permeability, vascular tone, hemostasis, and responding to physiological and pathological stimuli[3][5]. Diseases such as atherosclerosis, inflammation, and aneurysms often originate from dysfunction in specific layers or cell types within the vessel wall[1][3].

Other names

Blood vessel wallvascular wallarterial wallvenous wall