Fig. 3. Schematic of large elastic artery.

Image depicts a large artery (i.e., aorta) with basal lamina and intimal layer (endothelium), medial smooth muscle layer with elastic fibers, and the outer, highly heterogeneous adventitial layer. Arterial and venous vasa vasorum are shown in the adventitial and medial layers. In addition, lymphatic vasa vasorum and nervi vasorum (nerves) are shown. Numerous cells with postnatal vasculogenic potential are denoted in the adventitia. Note that components are not drawn to scale.