Tunica adventitia
Tunica Adventitia
Tunica adventitia (pronunciation: too-ni-ka ad-ven-ti-tia), also known as the adventitial layer, is the outermost layer of a blood vessel, surrounding the tunica media and the tunica intima.
Etymology
The term "tunica adventitia" is derived from Latin, where "tunica" means "coat" or "covering", and "adventitia" means "additional" or "external". This name is given due to its additional, external position in the structure of the blood vessel.
Function
The tunica adventitia primarily provides structural support and shape to the blood vessel. It is composed mainly of collagen fibers, which provide strength and flexibility. It also contains vasa vasorum, small blood vessels that supply the walls of larger blood vessels.
Related Terms
- Tunica intima: The innermost layer of a blood vessel.
- Tunica media: The middle layer of a blood vessel, composed primarily of smooth muscle and elastic fibers.
- Vasa vasorum: Small blood vessels that supply the walls of larger blood vessels.
- Collagen: A protein that provides structure to various parts of the body, including the skin, hair, nails, and blood vessels.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Tunica adventitia
- Wikipedia's article - Tunica adventitia
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