Material properties of arterial layers

 

An artery wall consists of three layers with very different purposes and characteristics. These three layers are the Intima, the Media, and the Adventitia.

 

 

 

The Intima is the inner-most layer of the artery wall. This thin wall lines the wall of the artery with mostly endothelial cells separating blood flow from the other layers of the wall.

The Media is the middle, and thickest layer of the wall. This is the wall that contains the most strength mechanisms such as smooth muscle cells, elastin, and collagen.

The Adventitia is the outer layer of the wall and consists of mostly collagen. This provides form and strength to the artery wall.