Figure 3.

Cellular contributions to the internal (IEL) and external (EEL) elastic laminae differs throughout the vascular tree. In the ascending aorta, the IEL is primarily made by smooth muscle cells (SMCs). In other elastic arteries it is made by both endothelial cells (ECs) and SMCs, while in the resistance arteries it is mainly made by ECs. Cellular contributions are shown by colored arrows, with minor contributions shown in lighter colors. In all arteries, SMCs are the main cell type contributing to the EEL, however there is a minor contribution from fibroblasts in the ascending aorta and elastic arteries. Elastic laminae are shown in black.