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Artery cut section

The structure of blood vessel walls is important in the regulation of blood flow. The tunica media contains smooth muscle fibers which contract to either widen or narrow the size of the vessel.

Reviewed last on: 4/28/2009
Larry A. Weinrauch, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and Private practice specializing in Cardiovascular Disease, Watertown, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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