What is the outermost layer of an artery called?

Prepare for the WCUI/Smith Chason Exit Assessment – Abdomen, Vascular, OB/GYN Test. Enhance your study with flashcards and detailed multiple choice questions, complete with hints and explanations. Master your exit exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

What is the outermost layer of an artery called?

Explanation:
The outermost layer of an artery is the tunica adventitia (also called tunica externa). This layer is a fibrous connective tissue sheath that wraps around the vessel, providing structural support and anchoring the artery to surrounding tissues. It also contains small vessels and nerves that supply the artery itself (the vasa vasorum and nervi vascularis). The inner lining is the tunica intima, which covers the lumen with endothelium, and the middle layer is the tunica media, composed primarily of smooth muscle and elastic fibers that regulate vessel diameter. So the outermost layer is the tunica adventitia.

The outermost layer of an artery is the tunica adventitia (also called tunica externa). This layer is a fibrous connective tissue sheath that wraps around the vessel, providing structural support and anchoring the artery to surrounding tissues. It also contains small vessels and nerves that supply the artery itself (the vasa vasorum and nervi vascularis). The inner lining is the tunica intima, which covers the lumen with endothelium, and the middle layer is the tunica media, composed primarily of smooth muscle and elastic fibers that regulate vessel diameter. So the outermost layer is the tunica adventitia.

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