Did you know? Our arteries are like high-speed highways for our blood. Just imagine: if roads weren't built well, cars would face lots of obstacles! Similarly, our arteries are specifically adapted for fast and efficient blood transport away from the heart.

Like a layer cake, the wall of the artery has layers, but don't eat it! 😉

• Tunica Externa: The tough outer layer, a bit like the crust of a pie.

  • Made of: Connective tissue + collagen fibres (strong and protective).

• Tunica Media: The middle layer.

  • Made of: Smooth muscle (think flexible) + elastic fibres made of a protein called elastin (like a stretchy rubber band).

• Tunica Intima: The innermost layer.

  • Made of: Smooth endothelium (ensures smooth flow) + sometimes has its own elastic fibres.

• Each time our heart's ventricles pump, they're like water guns shooting blood with great force into the arteries.
• Pressure goes 📉 down between heartbeats.
• Thanks to narrow lumens (the inside space of arteries), arteries maintain high blood pressure and swift blood flow like a river during heavy rain!

• Arteries have thick walls with elastic fibres (up to 50% of an artery's dry weight!) and tough collagen fibres.
• Elastic fibres: Think of them as springy trampolines. When blood pushes the artery walls outwards, these fibres store energy. Once the pushing stops, they spring back and help push the blood forward.
  • Real-world example: Imagine using a slingshot. Pulling it back stores energy, and releasing it shoots the projectile!
• Collagen fibres: Like strong ropes in a ship, preventing the ship's sail from tearing apart in a storm. They ensure arteries don't burst from high blood pressure.