Veins
Blood from capillaries flows into the venous system as veins. The smallest veins, venules, transition to small veins, medium veins, then to large veins. Venules initially resemble large-diameter capillaries and as they enlarge, additional components are added in their walls. Veins display the most variability of all vessels, and the three tunics are not always well demarcated. Examples of venous structures are shown here.
Venules >
The smallest post-capillary venules resemble large-diameter capillaries. Their thin tunica intima consists of an endothelium and a thin subendothelial layer. No additional tunics are present. Accompanying arterioles are also shown.
- Endothelial cells
The smallest post-capillary venules resemble large-diameter capillaries. Their thin tunica intima consists of an endothelium and a thin subendothelial layer. No additional tunics are present. Accompanying arterioles are also shown.
Arterioles
The smallest post-capillary venules resemble large-diameter capillaries. Their thin tunica intima consists of an endothelium and a thin subendothelial layer. No additional tunics are present. Accompanying arterioles are also shown.
- Endothelial cells
The smallest post-capillary venules resemble large-diameter capillaries. Their thin tunica intima consists of an endothelium and a thin subendothelial layer. No additional tunics are present. Accompanying arterioles are also shown.
- Tunica media
The smallest post-capillary venules resemble large-diameter capillaries. Their thin tunica intima consists of an endothelium and a thin subendothelial layer. No additional tunics are present. Accompanying arterioles are also shown.
Capillaries
The smallest post-capillary venules resemble large-diameter capillaries. Their thin tunica intima consists of an endothelium and a thin subendothelial layer. No additional tunics are present. Accompanying arterioles are also shown.
Nerve
The smallest post-capillary venules resemble large-diameter capillaries. Their thin tunica intima consists of an endothelium and a thin subendothelial layer. No additional tunics are present. Accompanying arterioles are also shown.
Small vein >
As venules enlarge, they transition through muscular venules to become small veins. Compared to arteries, veins are thin-walled vessels with large and irregular lumens. All three tunics are present: a tunica intima, a tunica media containing 2-3 layers of smooth muscle and a prominent tunica adventitia. Small veins possess valves that prevent the backflow of blood. An accompanying small artery is also present.
- Tunica media
As venules enlarge, they transition through muscular venules to become small veins. Compared to arteries, veins are thin-walled vessels with large and irregular lumens. All three tunics are present: a tunica intima, a tunica media containing 2-3 layers of smooth muscle and a prominent tunica adventitia. Small veins possess valves that prevent the backflow of blood. An accompanying small artery is also present.
- Tunica adventitia
As venules enlarge, they transition through muscular venules to become small veins. Compared to arteries, veins are thin-walled vessels with large and irregular lumens. All three tunics are present: a tunica intima, a tunica media containing 2-3 layers of smooth muscle and a prominent tunica adventitia. Small veins possess valves that prevent the backflow of blood. An accompanying small artery is also present.
- Valve
As venules enlarge, they transition through muscular venules to become small veins. Compared to arteries, veins are thin-walled vessels with large and irregular lumens. All three tunics are present: a tunica intima, a tunica media containing 2-3 layers of smooth muscle and a prominent tunica adventitia. Small veins possess valves that prevent the backflow of blood. An accompanying small artery is also present.
Small artery
As venules enlarge, they transition through muscular venules to become small veins. Compared to arteries, veins are thin-walled vessels with large and irregular lumens. All three tunics are present: a tunica intima, a tunica media containing 2-3 layers of smooth muscle and a prominent tunica adventitia. Small veins possess valves that prevent the backflow of blood. An accompanying small artery is also present.
Medium vein >
Medium veins accompany muscular arteries and are often named, e.g. radial vein. Tunica media and tunica adventitia are thicker than in small veins, with the tunica adventitia dominant. Valves, crescent-shaped folds of the tunica intima that project into the lumen, are particularly prominent in medium veins of the lower extremities. Medium veins transition to large veins, such as the jugular vein and vena cavae, that form the major portals for blood return to the heart.
- Tunica media
Medium veins accompany muscular arteries and are often named, e.g. radial vein. Tunica media and tunica adventitia are thicker than in small veins, with the tunica adventitia dominant. Valves, crescent-shaped folds of the tunica intima that project into the lumen, are particularly prominent in medium veins of the lower extremities. Medium veins transition to large veins, such as the jugular vein and vena cavae, that form the major portals for blood return to the heart.
- Tunica adventitia
Medium veins accompany muscular arteries and are often named, e.g. radial vein. Tunica media and tunica adventitia are thicker than in small veins, with the tunica adventitia dominant. Valves, crescent-shaped folds of the tunica intima that project into the lumen, are particularly prominent in medium veins of the lower extremities. Medium veins transition to large veins, such as the jugular vein and vena cavae, that form the major portals for blood return to the heart.
- Valve
Medium veins accompany muscular arteries and are often named, e.g. radial vein. Tunica media and tunica adventitia are thicker than in small veins, with the tunica adventitia dominant. Valves, crescent-shaped folds of the tunica intima that project into the lumen, are particularly prominent in medium veins of the lower extremities. Medium veins transition to large veins, such as the jugular vein and vena cavae, that form the major portals for blood return to the heart.
Muscular artery
Medium veins accompany muscular arteries and are often named, e.g. radial vein. Tunica media and tunica adventitia are thicker than in small veins, with the tunica adventitia dominant. Valves, crescent-shaped folds of the tunica intima that project into the lumen, are particularly prominent in medium veins of the lower extremities. Medium veins transition to large veins, such as the jugular vein and vena cavae, that form the major portals for blood return to the heart.