ABSTRACT
The vasculature of the mammalian body forms a vast, interconnected system. Each blood vessel performs a discrete and unique function, and each vessel’s structure is uniquely suited to its job within the vasculature. Despite this, the cellular make-up of blood vessels is remarkably simple. All vessels-from the largest vessels, such as aorta and great veins, to the microscopic capillaries-are composed entirely of two basic cell types: the endothelial cell and the vascular smooth muscle cell (Rhodin, 1974).
