[1] This elasticity also gives rise to the Windkessel effect, which helps to maintain a relatively constant pressure in the arteries despite the pulsating nature of the blood flow.
[3] The tunica intima is well developed, with many smooth muscle cells in the subendothelial connective tissue, and often shows folds in cross section because of the vessel’s contraction with loss of blood pressure at death.
The numerous elastic laminae of these arteries contribute to their important function of making blood flow more uniform.
During ventricular contraction (systole), blood moves through the arteries forcefully, stretching the elastin and distending the wall within limits set by its content of collagen.
When the ventricles relax (diastole), ventricular pressure drops to a low level, and the elastin layers rebound passively, helping to maintain arterial pressure.