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Elastic Arteries

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Also known as conducting arteries, these are the largest arteries closest to the heart.  The aorta is an elastic artery, receiving the blood from the left ventricle of the heart.  

Tunica Externa

Dense connective tissue with elastic connective tissue on the deep side of the tunic.

Tunica Media

Elastic arteries have a thick tunica media with spindle shaped smooth muscle fibers circling the tunica intima.  However, the contraction power of these smooth muscle fibers is not often used. These fibers do not frequently vasoconstrict and reduce the diameter of the lumen.  The tunica media can contract to maintain the lumen’s diameter. This action prevents a blowout (aneurysm) of the arterial wall. The blowout could be caused by the pressure generated by the closely located heart.

Tunica Interna (Intimia)

Simple squamous epithelium with a thin squiggle of an elastic fiber directly superficial to the squamous cells.

Lumen

The lumen of an elastic artery is usually round. It can also be slightly oval. This shape is due to the processes used to make the slide. Too many erythrocytes (red blood cells) to count are in the lumen, despite the magnification.  

A microscopic cross-sectional view presents a large vein and a section of an elastic artery, both stained in reddish-pink hues. The artery displays a distinct, circular structure with multiple layers. The vein is more collapsed and irregular in shape. The surrounding tissue is visible and contributes to the image's depth.
Figure 1: Cross-section of a large vein and elastic artery, stained reddish-pink.
Microscopic view of an elastic artery section. The image shows a thick, red-stained layer with alternating bands and areas of elastic fibers. At the inner edge of the artery, a rippled layer is visible, next to adipose tissue.
Figure 2: Microscopic view of a section of an elastic artery: a red-stained tissue.
Microscopic image of an elastic artery wall with staining. Layers of intima (brownish), media (pink with dark wavy elastic fibers), and adventitia (pink with less organized fibers) are visible. Section is partial arc only. Illumination is bright, emphasizing tissue structure. The elastic fibers appear as dark, interwoven lines within the lighter pink matrix, organized toward the center of the image.
Figure 3: Artery wall histology showing layered elastic fibers and tissue structure.

Figures 1 & 2: Slide 092F Muscular or medium sized artery and companion vein, Masson stain, 20X.
Figure 3: Slide 304 Femoral artery & vein, canine, von Gieson stain
All by University of Michigan Histology, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0.

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