Which tunic is the middle layer of a blood vessel?

Study for the NHCO Phlebotomy Test. Experience flashcards and multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations. Prepare effectively for your phlebotomy exam!

Multiple Choice

Which tunic is the middle layer of a blood vessel?

Explanation:
The middle layer of a blood vessel is the tunica media, made mainly of smooth muscle fibers with elastic tissue. This muscular layer lets vessels constrict or dilate, regulating blood flow and pressure. The inner lining, tunica intima, is a thin layer of endothelial cells that lines the lumen, while the outer layer, tunica adventitia (also called tunica externa), is a connective tissue sheath that anchors the vessel to surrounding tissues and, in larger vessels, contains vasa vasorum to supply the vessel wall. The tunica media’s muscular and elastic properties are what define it as the middle layer.

The middle layer of a blood vessel is the tunica media, made mainly of smooth muscle fibers with elastic tissue. This muscular layer lets vessels constrict or dilate, regulating blood flow and pressure. The inner lining, tunica intima, is a thin layer of endothelial cells that lines the lumen, while the outer layer, tunica adventitia (also called tunica externa), is a connective tissue sheath that anchors the vessel to surrounding tissues and, in larger vessels, contains vasa vasorum to supply the vessel wall. The tunica media’s muscular and elastic properties are what define it as the middle layer.

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