function of elastic fiber in tunica media

the elastic fibers in the tunica media, they help blood vessels—especially arteries—stay strong yet flexible. their main job’s to allow the vessel wall to stretch during systole (when heart pumps) and then recoil during diastole, pushing blood forward smoothly. this elasticity helps maintain continuous blood flow and dampens pressure changes, preventing damage to capillaries downstream. in large arteries like the aorta, elastic fibers form lamellae—layers that give the vessel wall strength, resilience, and the ability to handle high-pressure surges. without them, vessels would stiffen, pressure would spike, and blood flow would become erratic.